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Mission Shakti

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LEO satellite:

Use of LEO satellites:

How it is different from GEO satellites:

NEW DELHI: Giving an "important message", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India has successfully tested its first anti-satellite missile system, code-named 'Misson Shakti'. "India has entered its name as an elite space power. An anti-satellite weapon ASAT, successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit ( LEO )," PM Modi said.The Prime Minister also stated that shooting down a LEO satellite is a rare achievement and was completed successfully within three minutes of launch.* The mission was led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO ), aimed at strengthening India's overall security.* The LEO satellite was orbiting at an altitude of 300 km, PM Modi said.* The Prime Minister also said that India's action was not directed against any country and no international laws or treaties were breached.* The mission was a highly complex one and was conducted at extremely high speed with remarkable precision, PM Modi said. It shows the remarkable dexterity of India’s outstanding scientists and the success of our space programme, he added.Low earth orbit or LEO satellites are used for telecommunication that orbit till a distance of around 2,000 km above the earth's surface. These satellites are also used for data communication for instance e-mail, video conferencing, etc. These satellites move at extremely high speeds and are not fixed in space in relation to the earth.These satellites can be used to provide services specially in remote areas and places where it is difficult to build network.LEO satellites are used for observation or spying as they are pretty close to the earth's surface.GEO (geosynchronous equatorial orbit) or geostationary satellites are used for monitor weather forecasting, satellite radio and television. These satellites have a stronger signal capacity then LEO satellites. Also, GEO satellites do not orbit, hence the signal output much better. GEO satellites are much bigger in comparison with low earth orbit ones.