Narendra Modi Mission Shakti HIGHLIGHTS: Indian anti-satellite missile shoots down live satellite in low earth orbit
Narendra Modi Mission Shakti HIGHLIGHTS: In a proud moment for India, PM Narendra Modi in his address to the nation announced today that the country can now shoot down live satellites. Achieved under Mission Shakti, India destroyed a low-earth orbiting satellite some 300 km away in the sky with this missile. Achieving this anti-satellite capability makes India the 4th such country across the globe after US, Russia, China to register this amazing feat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi speech highlighted this achievement minutes after chairing a National Security Council meet where NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale too were present. According to PM Narendar Modi it took just 3 minutes to destroy the low-earth orbiting satellite.
1. PM Narendra Modi said that under Mission Shakti programme today India had shot down a live satellite 300 km up in the space in low earth orbit. PM Modi called it a 'rare achievement' for the country. Image source: Reuters
2. Because of this amazing feat, India is now a space power. This is the first time that India had demonstrated its anti-satellite missile capabilities. Only US, Russia, and China have the ability to shoot down satellites in space. India is now the 4th nation in the world to do so. Representational Image, source: Reuters
3. PM Modi said Mission Shakti or India's action to shoot down a live satellite by using a missile was not directed against any country. Image source: Representational Image, source: Reuters
4. Defence Research and Development Organisation powered Mission Shakti was aimed at strengthening India's security against all eventualities, and includes even threats from space. Image source: PTI
5. Before making this announcement about shooting down a live satellite with a missile under the Mission Shakti, PM Narendar Modi had called a meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security. Image source: IANS
6. On his Twitter handle, PM Narendra Modi had tweeted that he has an important message to convey to teh nation. The tweet said, "Do watch the address on television, radio or social media." This had set off wild speculation as last time such an address had led to demonetisation of the old Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes. Image source: PTI
7. PM Narendra Modi looked to ease tensions everywhere with his words. He said, "Our aim is to maintain peace and not develop a war-like situation." Image source: PTI
8. PM Narendra Modi explained that the achievement was not an easy one, He said, "Mission Shakti was a difficult operation but a huge success, The operation involved a complicated space manoeuvre." Image source: PTI