A very critical, crucial step in space: Former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan

Former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan said he was proud that the country successfully demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability and termed it a crucial step in the space.

"All I can say is it's a very, very great event," Kasturirangan told PTI on Wednesday, March 28.

"And we are all proud that we have taken the next step in the space, a very critical, crucial and probably a very difficult step to have taken successfully," he said.

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In an unprecedented broadcast to the nation on television, radio and social media, PM Modi on Wednesday, March 27, announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite. He described it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space superpowers.

"India has successfully tested the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile. Congratulations to everyone on the success of #MissionShakti," the prime minister tweeted later.

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He said the action was not directed against any country and the satellite was a pre-determined target orbiting at an altitude of 300 km.