Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Former US Officer Recalls Shock Over India’s Anti-Satellite Test
In 2019, India tested a missile that destroyed one of its own satellites.
The test was called Mission Shakti.
It showed that India could hit a satellite in space.
David Grusch says US officials knew a missile test was planned but did not expect a satellite to be targeted.
At the National Reconnaissance Office, analysts quickly studied the pieces created by the collision.
They wanted to know whether the debris could endanger American reconnaissance satellites.
India said the test was meant to protect its space assets and was not aimed at another country.
The test made India the fourth country to demonstrate this capability.
India conducted Mission Shakti on March 27, 2019, destroying its Microsat-R satellite in low Earth orbit.
Former US intelligence officer David Grusch said the National Reconnaissance Office knew a missile test was planned but did not expect an anti-satellite operation.
NRO analysts urgently assessed the resulting debris and whether American reconnaissance satellites needed to maneuver.
The interceptor was developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
India said the test was intended to protect its space assets, not target another country or begin an outer-space arms race.
- Who
- India, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and former US intelligence officer David Grusch, who described the US response.
- What
- India used an anti-satellite missile to destroy its Microsat-R satellite in low Earth orbit during Mission Shakti.
- When
- March 27, 2019.
- Where
- The interceptor was launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha and struck a satellite in low Earth orbit.
- Why
- India said it wanted to demonstrate its ability to safeguard its space assets; US officials assessed whether the resulting debris threatened American reconnaissance satellites.
India’s Stated Rationale
US Operational Concern
Purpose of the test
India’s Stated Rationale
India said Mission Shakti demonstrated its ability to safeguard its space assets and was not intended to target another country or start an outer-space arms race.
US Operational Concern
US officials focused on the immediate operational risk created by the debris and assessed whether American reconnaissance satellites might need to maneuver.
US awareness before launch
India’s Stated Rationale
India issued a notice to airmen stating that a missile test was planned off the Odisha coast.
US Operational Concern
David Grusch said US intelligence knew about the missile test but did not anticipate that the missile would be used against a satellite.
- Test name
- Mission Shakti
- Date
- March 27, 2019
- Target
- Microsat-R, an Indian satellite
- Weapon method
- A hit-to-kill anti-satellite missile
- Launch site
- Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha
- US concern
- Whether debris from the destroyed satellite could endanger American reconnaissance spacecraft
- India’s stated position
- The test was for protecting Indian space assets and was not intended to target another nation