India is preparing new satellites to protect its spacecraft after a dangerous near miss in mid-2024. An unnamed neighboring country’s satellite came within 1 km of an Indian satellite, raising national security concerns.

BulletsIn

• India plans “bodyguard satellites” to counter threats in orbit
• Triggered by 2024 near miss with neighbor’s satellite
• ISRO satellite nearly collided at 500–600 km altitude
• Incident seen as possible show of strength by rival
• Govt pushing ₹270 billion project for 50 surveillance satellites
• First launch of new security satellite expected next year
• India has 100+ satellites, Pakistan only 8, China 930+
• US and India warn of China’s fast-growing space threat
• LiDAR satellites, radars, telescopes under discussion for defense
• Startups partnering with govt for tracking and protection