Scientists in mission mode for 6 months, says DRDO chief G Satheesh Reddy

A day after the successful launch of India's anti-satellite missile, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman G Satheesh Reddy revealed that the project — Mission Shakti — was the result of two years' hard work with around a 100 scientists working tirelessly on the project.

Speaking to DNA, Reddy said that the launch took place at around 11.10 am on Wednesday morning and everything went as anticipated.

Recalling the last few minutes before the mission went live, Reddy said that the final go-ahead was given by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval after getting approval from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also said that they had to hit a target in motion, for which 'kinetic kill' — directly hitting the satellite — was used. The test was conducted from the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

"It was a challenging task and that called for many technologies. It needed high accuracy and in the last six months, the team worked in mission mode," he said.

He claimed that the project was implemented in the fastest way possible and it showed the DRDO's capability in handling such programmes. "The shooting down of a satellite with a missile reflected that we have matured to develop technology which could achieve accuracy in terms of centimetres,"said Reddy.

Meanwhile, a senior officer in DRDO stated that the biggest challenge in the mission was to develop everything indigenously.

"Lot of work and rework were done,"said the officer, adding that a Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Interceptor Missile successfully engaged an Indian-orbiting target satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in a hit-to-kill mode. "The interceptor missile was a three-stage missile with two solid rocket boosters. Tracking data from range sensors has confirmed that the mission met all its objectives," the officer added.

The test has demonstrated India's capability to defend its assets in outer space and is a reflection of the country's growing capability to indigenously develop critical technology and weapons systems.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the achievement in a televised and livestreamed address, after keeping citizens on tenterhooks for nearly an hour with a prelude that he had some news for the nation.

Mission Shakti

• Project was green-lighted two years ago, with around a 100 scientists working round-the-clock in the last six months, Reddy said.
• “Tracking data from range sensors has confirmed that the mission met all its objectives,” DRDO has claimed.