NEW DELHI, Sept 22 – India is preparing a plan to protect its satellites from hostile actions, following a near collision in space last year that exposed national security risks, Bloomberg reported.
The Modi government is considering developing “bodyguard satellites” capable of detecting and countering threats to space assets. Satellites, which played a crucial role during India’s conflict with Pakistan earlier this year, are seen as vital for both civilian and military purposes.
The urgency grew after a mid-2024 incident when a neighbouring country’s satellite came within one kilometre of an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellite orbiting 500–600 km above Earth. The Indian spacecraft was engaged in mapping and ground monitoring, raising concerns that the manoeuvre may have been a show of capability.
The protection plan is part of a wider programme that includes a ₹270 billion ($3 billion) project to launch about 50 surveillance satellites, the first of which is set to lift off next year. India is also exploring partnerships with startups to build advanced technologies, such as LiDAR-based satellites, to detect threats more quickly.
Neither ISRO nor the Department of Space has commented on the report. (Agencies)
