Space
Space Based Surveillance (SBS) Mission
▪ Union government has ordered the fast-tracking of the launch of 52 dedicated surveillance satellites under SBS – III Programme.
▪ SBS – III Programme will help in better land and maritime domain awareness for civilian and military applications.
▪ It will involve the launch of at least 52 satellites in low earth orbit and geostationary orbit for
surveillance.
▪ 21 satellites will be built by ISRO and the remaining 31 by private companies.
▪ The SBS mission is being handled by the National Security Council Secretariat and Defence Space Agency under the Ministry of Defence.
▪ SBS 1 was launched in 2001, SBS 2 came in 2013.
▪ The SBS 3 mission will be supported by India’s acquisition of 31 Predator drones from the US, joint construction of military satellites with France and anti-satellite missile capabilities.
