In mid-2024, a spacecraft from a neighbouring nation swept within a kilometre of an Indian satellite operating at an altitude of 500 to 600 km. In the high-stakes environment of low-Earth orbit, a gap that narrow is considered dangerously close and triggered alarm among India’s space security experts.
The government is now reportedly in talks with private startups to develop a protection mechanism through “bodyguard satellites”. These satellites are designed to constantly monitor, protect and respond to threats against the country’s space assets.
India expects a first test launch this year, potentially joining the United States, Russia, China, Germany, France and Japan in either having such satellites or plans to build them.
