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India is developing ‘bodyguard satellites’ to protect its space assets from potential threats. Private startups and government entities are finalising plans to launch the first test satellite, designed to protect high-value assets from orbital threats, as early as the first half of this year, people familiar with the matter told ToI.
Following these early trials, more launches are slated for late 2026 or early 2027. Once the technology is proven, the government expects to acquire and scale the system to build more of these defensive units.
Indian startups are engineering two specialised ‘bodyguard’ satellites to defend national assets from orbital threats.
The first model features a robotic arm capable of latching onto and physically relocating spacecraft engaged in hostile actions.
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The second is a more compact interceptor designed to neutralise smaller threats by enclosing them in a box and moving them away.
This move addresses concerns over China's growing space capabilities and Pakistan's reliance on Chinese satellite support. A near-miss incident in 2024, where a spacecraft from an unidentified neighbouring country approached an Indian satellite, highlighted the need for safeguards.
India's military confrontation with Pakistan last year further emphasised the importance of space security, Bloomberg reported.
The push for space security became a top priority for the Modi administration after a high-stakes military standoff with Pakistan last year nearly escalated into full-scale war.
The four-day confrontation underscored the critical role of satellites in identifying and tracking targets, but it also exposed tactical vulnerabilities that New Delhi is now racing to fix.
To bridge these gaps, India is rapidly bolstering its orbital surveillance and deploying bodyguard satellites to ensure its eyes in the sky remain protected during future conflicts.
Anil Bhatt, the director general of the Indian Space Association and former military operations chief, emphasises that the threat of satellite disruption is ‘definitely there’.
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"Every nation that wants to be a serious player in the critical space domain will need to build kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities to protect its own assets," he added.
The project is part of a broader effort to enhance India's surveillance capabilities, including launching over 50 spy satellites and deploying up to 150 new satellites for comprehensive border monitoring. India is also expanding its ground infrastructure to monitor foreign spacecraft and ensure rapid data transfers.
Following these early trials, more launches are slated for late 2026 or early 2027. Once the technology is proven, the government expects to acquire and scale the system to build more of these defensive units.
Indian startups are engineering two specialised ‘bodyguard’ satellites to defend national assets from orbital threats.
The first model features a robotic arm capable of latching onto and physically relocating spacecraft engaged in hostile actions.
ALSO READ |ISRO identifies safe Moon landing site for Chandrayaan‑4: Where it is, how it helps the mission
The second is a more compact interceptor designed to neutralise smaller threats by enclosing them in a box and moving them away.
This move addresses concerns over China's growing space capabilities and Pakistan's reliance on Chinese satellite support. A near-miss incident in 2024, where a spacecraft from an unidentified neighbouring country approached an Indian satellite, highlighted the need for safeguards.
India's military confrontation with Pakistan last year further emphasised the importance of space security, Bloomberg reported.
The push for space security became a top priority for the Modi administration after a high-stakes military standoff with Pakistan last year nearly escalated into full-scale war.
The four-day confrontation underscored the critical role of satellites in identifying and tracking targets, but it also exposed tactical vulnerabilities that New Delhi is now racing to fix.
To bridge these gaps, India is rapidly bolstering its orbital surveillance and deploying bodyguard satellites to ensure its eyes in the sky remain protected during future conflicts.
Anil Bhatt, the director general of the Indian Space Association and former military operations chief, emphasises that the threat of satellite disruption is ‘definitely there’.
ALSO READ | ISRO rocket remains washed up in Maldives? Here's what happened
"Every nation that wants to be a serious player in the critical space domain will need to build kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities to protect its own assets," he added.
The project is part of a broader effort to enhance India's surveillance capabilities, including launching over 50 spy satellites and deploying up to 150 new satellites for comprehensive border monitoring. India is also expanding its ground infrastructure to monitor foreign spacecraft and ensure rapid data transfers.
