Introduction and Background

- Recently, the Defence Space Agency under the Ministry of Defence conducted the first-ever Space Exercise called 'Antariksha Abhyas' in New Delhi, India.

- The main objective incepted was the simulation and analysis of threats posed to and from space-based services, with the aim of securing national strategic objectives in space.

 

Key Focus Areas

- The exercise focused on enhancing the integration of space capability into military operations.

- It aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of operational dependencies on space assets.

- The initiative targeted the identification of vulnerabilities and the development of methods to handle disruptions or denial of space-based services.

 

Military Use of Space

- The armed forces utilise space capabilities for various security operations including detecting border infiltration, artillery movements, and missile launches.

 

India's Capability in Space Defense

- In March 2019, India successfully executed an anti-satellite (ASAT) test under Mission Shakti designed to destroy or disable enemy satellites in orbit, showcasing India's capabilities in space defence.

 

Regulation of Space Use

- The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, to which India is a part, dictates that outer space should be utilised only for peaceful operations.

- This Treaty sets a boundary, known as the Kármán line, 100 kilometres above mean sea level, which is acknowledged as the edge where the Earth's atmosphere ends, and outer space begins.