NSA RELEASES POSTAGE STAMP ON A-SAT ‘MISSION SHAKTI’

A customised ‘My Stamp’ on India’s first Anti Satellite Missile (A-SAT) launch was released by Depart- ment of Posts on the occasion of Engineers’ Day on Tuesday in the presence of National Security Advi- sor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

On the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted an Anti-Satellite (A- SAT) missile test ‘Mission Shakti’ from Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha on 27 March 2019. A DRDO-developed A-SAT 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 had confirmed that the mission met all its objectives. The entire effort was indigenous which demonstrated the Nation’s capability to develop such complex and critical missions. A number of industries also participated in the mission. With this success, India became fourth nation in the world to possess such capability.

Doval, in his address, stated that it was a very brave step on part of DRDO to go for Mission Shakti. He further stated that DRDO has plenty of achievements to be proud of; however the future is in space based technologies. Satellites are critical and with this capability India can defend its assets in space. He appreciated the way in which the mission was kept a secret and complimented the whole DRDO fraternity for doing well in all other fields.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, Secretary DDR&D & Chairman DRDO, thanked the Prime Minister and the NSA for having confidence in DRDO and assigning such a critical and complex mission to DRDO. He further stated that A-SAT mission enabled development of many technologies and capabilities for precision kill at higher altitudes. He called upon DRDO fraternity to take up more such complex and critical projects.

The function was also attended by Pradipta Kumar Bisoi, Secretary, Department of Posts and Senior Scientists of DRDO. The release of the stamp reminds the nation about the technological achievement, which has made the nation proud.