June 12, 2025
Fact Sheet
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Indian Direct Ascent Anti-Satellite Testing Fact Sheet
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Indian Direct Ascent Anti-Satellite Testing Fact Sheet
Fact Sheet
Authors
Victoria Samson
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Over the last decade, India has shifted from a purely civil space program to one that includes military space capabilities, reflecting broader trends in space security and space policy. In March 2019, India tested a direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) system by destroying one of its own satellites after a failed attempt a month earlier, demonstrating emerging counterspace capabilities and advances in space technology. While India continues to state that this was a demonstration and that it supports the peaceful use of outer space, this development suggests a potential shift toward an offensive counterspace posture and raises important considerations for space governance and responsible behavior in space.
ASAT (Anti-Satellite Weapons)
Counterspace
Space Security
Space Policy
Space Governance
Orbital Debris
Space Sustainability
