India is developing a plan to improve its ability to protect satellites from attacks, people familiar with the matter said, after a near miss in orbit highlighted risks to national security posed by other spacecraft.
The government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to develop so-called bodyguard satellites to identify and counter threats to orbiting spacecraft, according to people who requested to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the matter. Satellites also played a significant role during India’s conflict with rival Pakistan in May, which put the nations on the brink of all-out war.
A previously unreported incident highlighted the need for action, the people added, when a satellite from a neighboring country came dangerously close to one of India’s.
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