New Delhi: India is preparing to launch so-called “bodyguard satellites” to protect its spacecraft from potential threats in orbit, after a close brush with a foreign satellite triggered fresh security concerns.
Near collision with foreign craft
Officials revealed that in mid-2024, a satellite from a neighbouring country came within one kilometre of an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellite orbiting about 600 kilometres above Earth. The ISRO satellite was carrying out mapping and ground monitoring — tasks with possible military applications.
Though no collision occurred, the unusually close approach has been read as a potential show of strength, possibly designed to signal capability. Neither ISRO nor the Department of Space has publicly commented.
New space security project
Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is now drawing up plans for satellites that can identify and counter threats in space. The initiative is part of a larger 270 billion rupee (£2.6bn) programme to build around 50 surveillance satellites, with the first expected to launch next year.
Regional rivalries amplify India’s concerns. Pakistan operates only a handful of satellites, while China controls more than 930. Analysts warn that Beijing’s rapidly growing and sophisticated satellite network poses a mounting risk.
Working with startups
Officials say the bodyguard satellite idea is still in the early stages of discussion. Startups are being engaged to develop solutions such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) satellites, which could provide quicker threat identification. These would likely be paired with ground-based radars and telescopes.
Former ISRO director Sudheer Kumar N said: “We do not have such in-orbit tracking capability on a 24×7 basis, but some of the startups are working on it.”
The urgency of such measures was underlined earlier this year, when ISRO’s satellites played a key role during armed clashes with Pakistan, with China reportedly offering support to Islamabad.