Massive space activity over the past few decades has led to unintended orbital debris. Each launch of a satellite or rocket adds to the problem, increasing the risk that threatens not only space missions but also the safety of future endeavours.

This ever-increasing threat can be best understood through the concept of Kessler syndrome in space. This phenomenon occurs when objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) become so cluttered that they begin to collide with each other, creating more debris and more collisions, thus resulting in chain reactions of mergers and fissions. Many experts warn that the LEO is moving towards Kessler’s Syndrome.

Though every space activity adds to the debris problem, anti-satellite (ASAT) missile tests are highly irrational act considering the indiscriminate threat it poses to human space exploration by exponentially increasing the orbital overload. The US was the first to test its ASAT in 1984, with China (2007) and Russia (2014 and 2021) following suit. India is the latest in the list and attracted widespread condemnation after........

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