Q. With reference to the Mission Shakti conducted by India, consider the following statements:
1.It was a joint anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test conducted by DRDO and ISRO to destroy a satellite in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO).
2.With this test, India became the fourth country in the world to possess this anti-satellite capability.
3.The mission used a modified interceptor missile, PDV Mark-II, that utilized a hit-to-kill technology.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[A] 1 and 2 only

[B] 2 and 3 only

[C] 1 and 3 only

[D] 1, 2, and 3

Answer: B
Notes:

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is incorrect: Mission Shakti was carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) (not a joint mission with ISRO) and targeted a satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) (around 300 km), not Geostationary Orbit.
  • Statement 2 is correct: India joined the USA, Russia, and China as the fourth country to achieve this capability.
  • Statement 3 is correct: The test used a modified Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) Mark-II to strike the satellite directly using kinetic energy (‘hit-to-kill’), rather than an explosive warhead, to minimize long-term debris.
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