U.S. confirms that the 270 pieces don’t pose threat to International Space Station
- The satellite targeted with an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile under Mission Shakti has broken up into at least 270 pieces, most of which are expected to disintegrate within 45 days, Defence sources said .
- The satellite has disintegrated into at least 270 pieces which has also been confirmed by the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).
- Being in the Low Earth Orbit, the debris would fall towards earth and burn up as soon as they enter the atmosphere.
Imaging satellite
- Officials identified the targeted satellite as Microsat-R, an imaging satellite that was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on January 24 using a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. The satellite, weighing 740 kg, was placed in an orbit of 274 km above earth.
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) shot down Microsat-R with a modified exo-atmospheric missile of the ballistic missile defence at an altitude of 300 km.
Being monitored
- The ASAT test was tracked by sensors of various agencies.
- Upon impact, data transmission from the satellite stopped and electro-optic systems confirmed an explosion, the official said.
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