India joins elite club of Space Superpowers, watch visuals of ASAT launch

Election Commission: Matter related to address of the Prime Minister to the Nation on electronic media today afternoon has been brought to the notice of ECI.The Commission has directed a Committee of Officers to examine the matter immediately in the light of Model Code of Conduct.

Detection of Satellite:11:08 am
Classification as an Enemy satellite: 11:08:30 am
Command to destroy: 11:08:30 am
Missile lift off: 11:09:30 am
Missile First stage separation from head: 11:10:45 am at 45 km height.
Missile second stage separation: 11:11:17 am at 110 km
IIR ( Imaging infrared seeker) lock on the target satellite: 11:12:10 am
Destruction: 11:15 am

Visuals from the launch of the anti satellite missile used in Mission Shakti 

See pics: Images of ASAT missiles successfully test fired today

Pakistan, in an official statement, today called on international community to condemn India's Mission Shakti and draft stronger international laws for any such future weaponry development. 

Here is the full text of Pakistan's statement on Mission Shakti:

"In response to various media queries, the Spokesperson stated that Pakistan has been a strong proponent of Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space. Space is the common heritage of mankind and every nation has the responsibility to avoid actions which can lead to the militarization of this arena. We believe that there is a need to address gaps in the international space laws with a view to ensuring that no one threatens peaceful activities and applications of space technologies for socio-economic development.
 
"We hope that countries which have in the past strongly condemned demonstration of similar capabilities by others will be prepared to work towards developing international instruments to prevent military threats relating to outer space.
 
"Boasting of such capabilities is reminiscent of Don Quixote’s tilting against windmills."

Former DRDO Chief Dr VK Saraswat on Mission Shakti: We made presentations to National Security Adviser and National Security Council, when such discussions were held, they were heard by all concerned, unfortunately, we did not get positive response (from UPA), so we did not go ahead. When proposal was put up by Dr Satheesh Reddy and NSA Ajit Doval to PM Modi, he had the courage and based on that he gave a go ahead. If the clearances were given in 2012-13, I am quite certain that the launch would have happened in 2014-15.

Shortly after his address to the nation today, Prime Minister spoke to scientists involved with the successful conduct of Mission Shakti, via video conference. Congratulating them on their success, the Prime Minister said that the entire nation is proud of our scientists for achieving well, what they had set out to accomplish. He said that in line with the "Make in India" initiative, the scientists have given a message to the world that we are less than no one. 

Scientists today compared Mission Shakti with the nuclear launch and surgical strike. Bringing down a satellite in high altitude is not easy since the satellite would have been traveling at a velocity of hundreds of kilometres per hour; to accurately target such a small speck is a big challenge. It is like shooting a bullet at another bullet from a distance of 300 km.The ASAT missile now ensures the safety and security of India's 48 orbiting satellite, which were sitting ducks until today. 

In 2014, India put a satellite into orbit around Mars, becoming the fourth nation to do so. India's Mars Mission cost less than the budget of the Hollywood space blockbuster Gravity. 

In November last year, India fired a rocket carrying 31 satellites into space, many on behalf of foreign governments.

In December, India allocated $1.43 billion for its first manned space mission, set to be launched by 2022. 

An unmanned test launch of the project is likely scheduled for December 2020.

India is aiming to expand the country's influence in the competitive $300 billion global space industry.

India has no intention of entering into an arms race in outer space, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release. India has always maintained that space must be used only for peaceful purposes and is against the weaponisation of Outer Space and support international efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space-based assets, the statement said. 

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has wished DRDO scientists for a successful Misison Shakti, while taking jibe at PM Modi. 

 "Well done DRDO, extremely proud of your work. 

I would also like to wish the PM a very happy World Theatre Day."

CPIM leader Sitaram Yechury has filed a complaint with EC against Mission Shakti announcement. "The country would like to know the special reasons why the Election Commission permitted the achievements of Indian scientists to be politically coloured during the course of the general elections. Our letter to the Election Commission"

Watch a video simulation of the ASAT BMD interceptor missile. (video courtesy: ANI/Defence sources) 

Mission Shakti represents a watershed moment for India. Testing of the Anti-Satellite Missile demonstrates India's scientific prowess and commitment to harnessing space technology for the security and empowerment of our people. My congratulations to all concerned: President Kovind

Scientists had the capability to build anti-satellite missile a decade ago, then government (UPA) never gave permission, FM Arun Jaitley told media. "The process started in 2014 after the PM gave the permission. It's a huge achievement, not only we have become space power but we are now in big four. We should not forget that tomorrow's wars will not be the same as yesterday's wars," Jaitley said. 

Jaitley's statement comes after Congress' Ahmed Patel claimed that the ASAT project was launched in 2012. 

Announcement on Mission Shakti yet another limitless drama and publicity mongering by PM Modi, says TMC chief Mamata Banerjee. 

In a press conference to launch Urmila Matondkar in the Congress party, Randeep Surjewala said that the building blocks of 'Mission Shakti' were laid back in 2012 by Vijay Saraswat, The Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation of the time. He congratulated the scientists of the DRDO and said Modi should not be taking credit for this feat achieved by the scientists.

Without building deterrence by demonstrating an ASAT capability, India risked encouraging an adversary like China to go after Indian space capabilities early in a conflict. To "defend" its satellites, India has to deter China's use of its direct ascent missiles and laser weapons, says Defence Expert Brahma Chellaney. 

Congratulations to Indian scientists in @isro @DRDO_India for the successful test of #ASAT (Anti-Satellite Missile) India has become the fourth country in the world to acquire this capability in space. It's a defining moment in our history, India TV Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma said. 

Space wars are not just Hollywood fiction. The US, Russia and China continue to pursue anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons. Space is being turned into a battlefront, making counter-space capabilities critical. In this light, India's successful "kill" with an ASAT weapon is significant, says Defence Expert Brahma Chellaney.

1. India has entered its name as an elite space power. An anti-satellite weapon A-SAT, successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit.
 
2. 'Mission Shakti' operation was a difficult target to achieve which was completed successfully within three minutes of launch.
 
3. India has registered herself as a space power today; till now only the USA, Russia and China have achieved this; now India is the 4th country to achieve this feat
 
4. Today, we have enough satellites that are contributing in various segments such as agriculture, disaster management, communication, weather, navigation etc.
 
5. I assure the world community that our new capability is not against anyone.
 
6. The A-SAT missile will give new strength to India's space programme.
 
7. India also assures the international community that India's capability won't be used against anyone but is a defence initiative for its security.
 
8. PM Modi said, India stands tall as a space power. It will make India stronger, even more secure and will further peace and harmony," PM Modi said in a tweet after his address to the nation.