Approach:

Introduction: Define militarization and weaponization of space.

Body: Highlight the recent developments in the field of space militarization and weaponization and mention the steps taken by India in this regard.

Conclusion: Mention the pitfalls of space weaponization and the role India could play in mitigating this issue.

Answer:

Militarisation of space refers to the use of space in support of ground, sea and air-based military operations such as Position Navigation and Timing, remote sensing, National Technical Means etc. that helps in improving strategic and battlefield surveillance and weapon targeting. While spatial weaponization refers to the placement in the orbit of space-based devices that have a destructive capacity, here outer space itself emerges as the battleground.

Recent developments in the field of Space Militarization and Weaponization -

• U.S.A. - It has created a new military department i.e. “Space Force” with an intent to strengthen its war-fighting capabilities. It has also developed various other space weapons as well -
  • Space-Based Lasers (SBLs): These would operate in LEO and destroy hostile ballistic missiles during their boost phase.
  • Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS): This will be a constellation of LEO sensor satellites that will track enemy missiles, discriminate between warheads and decoys and assess the outcome of possible interceptions.
  • Global Strike Programme: This project envisions dropping sensors or bombs anywhere on the Earth’s surface from outer space, with a 30-minute response time.
  • Common Aero Vehicle (CAV): This project envisions an unmanned manoeuvrable spacecraft armed with intelligent sensors and loads of munitions. This would have global reach capability against high payoff targets.
• China - It is making serious advances in weaponizing outer space creating the fourth frontier of war in space by making strides in the ICBM programme. It is developing its Tiangong space station with the intent to establish its permanent presence on the moon.
• France - Successfully conducted its first space military exercise in 2021 i.e. ASTREX.

Steps taken by India to enhance its space situational awareness capability -

Space Situational Awareness (SSA) refers to keeping track of objects in orbit and predicting where they will be at any given time.

• Defense Space Agency - Created in 2019, would be supported by the defence space research organization and has been tasked with operating the space-warfare and Satellite Intelligence assets of India.
• Defence space research organization (DSRO) - Created in 2019 is geared toward facilitating the development of civilian space technology for military purposes.
• Mission Shakti (Anti Satellite Missile Test)- India is now the fourth country in the world to conduct an ASAT missile test after the US, Russia, and China.
• First integrated space warfare exercise (July 2019) - It was a tri-service exercise which focused on using communications and reconnaissance satellites to integrate intelligence and fires across the range of Indian military assets, against the background of existing threats.

So, in light of increasing space weaponization as mutual suspicion, threats to scientific missions and the threat of space debris are on a rise, India should partner with like-minded countries to outline the rules for global space governance. On the other end, India should also articulate its Indian Space Security policy to harness the country’s immense defence potential.