India is planning to develop bodyguard satellites to safeguard its space assets following a close encounter that raised national security concerns. In mid-2024, a satellite from a neighbouring country passed within one kilometre of an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellite, which was operating at an altitude of 500–600 kilometres above Earth, the same orbit used by networks like Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Although no collision occurred, the incident was perceived as a potential demonstration of strength and a test of capabilities. ISRO and the Department of Space declined to comment on the matter.
The satellite-protection initiative forms part of a broader security push. India has already approved a 270 billion rupee ($3 billion) program to launch approximately 50 surveillance satellites, with the first expected next year. These satellites are intended to secure borders, track adversaries, and gather intelligence.
Experts note that the program will also require ground-based radars and telescopes for continuous monitoring. “We do not have such in-orbit tracking capability on a 24×7 basis, but some of the startups are working on it,” said Sudheer Kumar N, former ISRO director.
India currently operates over 100 satellites, ahead of Pakistan, which has eight, but still far behind China, which has more than 930 satellites, according to N2Yo.com.
India’s space assets have already played a critical role during times of conflict. During tensions with Pakistan, more than 400 ISRO scientists worked around the clock to support Earth observation and communication satellites, ISRO chairman V. Narayanan noted in a recent speech.
The proposed bodyguard satellites aim to enhance India’s ability to detect and counter potential threats in orbit, strengthening national security and safeguarding critical space infrastructure.
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