Overview

• Bloomberg-based reports say the Modi government is exploring escort satellites to identify and counter threats to Indian spacecraft after a mid-2024 near miss.
• The foreign spacecraft reportedly passed within about 1 kilometre of an ISRO satellite at roughly 500–600 km altitude during mapping and monitoring operations.
• ISRO and the Department of Space have not commented, and sources caution the discussions are at an early stage.
• Proposals include LiDAR-equipped satellites tied to ground radars and telescopes to speed threat detection and enable timely manoeuvres, with startups engaged on solutions.
• The protection effort is linked to an approved ₹270 billion plan for roughly 50 surveillance satellites, with the first launch expected next year, as officials highlight lessons from the May India–Pakistan hostilities and reports of Chinese support to Islamabad.