Hyderabad: “The high altitude and high velocity interception pose many technological challenges in respect of seekers for early detection and trajectory correction systems for finer corrections before engagement,” said DRDO (Defence Research Development Organisation) chairman G Satheesh Reddy yesterday while speaking about Mission Shakti that was conducted on 27 March.
During a lecture organised by Aeronautical Society of India, Satheesh said the anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test demonstrated the country’s technological capabilities to carry out such a mission with precision. He also praised and congratulated the DRDO labs and team members who were associated with the mission.
He further noted that scientists from various specialisations had indigenously developed the critical systems such as software and sensors. According to a media report, Satheesh was quoted saying that the challenge during the mission was ensuring cohesive response of all the systems to ever-changing dynamics.
Speaking at the event, U Rajababu, Ballistic missile defence (BMD) programme director (Area-Defence), highlighted the objectives and criticalities of Mission Shakti. He said, when the relative velocity of the systems involved is around 10 km/second there was a need for precision.
The booster needs to provide the requisite velocities, the technologies such as dome opening, heat shield etc needed to be precise and smooth apart from the accurate and secured data communication systems. The ASAT missile was guided towards the target by using accurate sensors and onboard seeker to ensure direct hit and didn’t employ any warhead, Rajababu was quoted saying.
NITI Aayog member VK Saraswat and nearly 500 scientists, academicians, engineers, industrialists and professionals from the aerospace sector were present on the occasion, the release added. Soon after the test, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said the country had shown its anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, and described that as a rare achievement because it has included the nation in an exclusive club of space super-powers.