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U.S. tracking debris from ASAT test
Why is it in news?
- The United States has reacted to Prime Minister Modi’s statement that India had successfully tested an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile in what he termed Mission Shakti.
More in news?
- U.S response:(1) The U.S State Department saw PM Modi’s statement that announced India’s anti-satellite test as part of strong strategic partnership with India.(2) It said it will continue to pursue shared interests in space and scientific and technical cooperation, including collaboration on safety and security in space.(3) The U.S. reaction also raised the issue of space debris. U.S. is tracking over 250 pieces of debris from Mission Shakti.
- India’s response to space debris: India has said that there will be no space debris.
- Space Force push:(1) The U.S. is one of the now four (including India) countries that has demonstrated an ability to strike down an orbiting satellite.(2) U.S. President Donald Trump has been pushing for the U.S. to have a ‘Space Force’ and has directed the administration to enhance America’s space-war fighting capabilities.(3) This has been driven in part by the long-standing American concern that China and Russia were developing their ASAT systems, putting American GPS-based technology at risk.
Source
The Hindu