Mon Sep 22 12:01:51 UTC 2025: **Here’s a summary of the provided text:**

India is significantly ramping up efforts to protect its vital satellite infrastructure in the face of increasing threats from debris, cyberattacks, natural phenomena like solar storms, and potential geopolitical interference. This move comes after a near-miss incident in 2024 between an Indian satellite and a foreign spacecraft. Key initiatives include a ₹27,000-crore program to launch 52 new surveillance satellites, development of “bodyguard satellites” to monitor and protect existing assets, enhanced space situational awareness capabilities through Project NETRA and potential LiDAR satellites, improved cybersecurity measures for ground stations, hardening satellite communications against jamming and spoofing, and leveraging data from missions like Aditya-L1 to mitigate the impact of solar events. India is also actively participating in international forums to promote responsible space behavior and reduce space debris, marking a shift from its 2019 anti-satellite missile test. The overarching goal is to create a multi-layered defense system ensuring the long-term sustainability and security of India’s space assets.

**And here is that information rewritten as a news article:**

**India Bolsters Satellite Defenses Amid Growing Space Security Concerns**

**New Delhi, September 22, 2025** – The Indian government is investing heavily in protecting its critical satellite infrastructure, announcing a comprehensive program spurred by increasing threats in the increasingly congested and contested space environment.

Following a close call in 2024 involving an Indian satellite and a foreign spacecraft, New Delhi has unveiled a ₹27,000-crore initiative to launch approximately 52 new surveillance satellites by 2026. These satellites will provide enhanced earth observation and security functions.
The plan also includes developing “bodyguard satellites” designed to closely monitor and safeguard high-value Indian satellites.

“Satellites are indispensable for modern life, underpinning everything from communications and navigation to national security,” said an official from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). “Protecting these assets is paramount.”

Beyond physical security, India is addressing digital vulnerabilities. CERT-In, within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has issued stringent cybersecurity guidelines for satellite operators, emphasizing encryption, network segmentation, and incident reporting. ISRO is also improving the ability of NAVIC (India’s navigation system) to withstand GPS spoofing.

India’s space surveillance capabilities are also being significantly enhanced. Project NETRA is being expanded with new radars and telescopes and officials are considering LiDAR satellites.

The nation is also taking steps to mitigate the impact of space weather by leveraging data from the Aditya-L1 solar mission for early warnings of solar storms and coronal mass ejections.

The initiative marks a shift in India’s approach to space security. Once criticized for its anti-satellite missile test in 2019, which created significant debris, India is now actively promoting responsible space behavior on the global stage, including a commitment to “Debris-Free Space Missions by 2030.” In 2024, the country hosted the Inter-Agency Debris Coordination Committee (IADC).

Experts believe this multi-faceted approach is crucial to safeguarding India’s growing space economy and ensuring the continued functionality of its vital satellite infrastructure. The future of satellite protection in space involves the combination of these actions and technologies, and is expected to be a collaborative effort of international guidelines.

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