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India Destroys Microsat-R in ASAT Test, Fourth Nation

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 4:10 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

India destroyed its Microsat-R satellite with an anti-satellite missile on March 27, 2019.
The test made India the fourth nation after the United States, Russia and China with ASAT capability.
David Grusch, former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, said the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) was surprised and urged debris modeling.
India said the low-Earth-orbit debris would decay in weeks and denied intent to start a space arms race.

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Story summary

India destroyed its Microsat-R satellite with an anti-satellite missile on March 27, 2019.
The test made India the fourth nation after the United States, Russia and China with ASAT capability.
David Grusch, former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, said the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) was surprised and urged debris modeling.
India said the low-Earth-orbit debris would decay in weeks and denied intent to start a space arms race.