ISRO chief lashes out at China's anti-satellite tests

New Delhi: Chairman of the Indian Satellite Research Organisation (ISRO), G. Madhavan Nair, came out strongly against the anti-satellite test conducted by China recently and said that space scientists would ask their counterparts in China to avoid such tests in the future.

Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, he said, "The Chinese test has not been received well across the world. We are also not happy. We will ask China not to do it again in future." Madhavan was addressing a press conference to announce an international astronautical congress to be held in Hyderabad from September 24 to 28.

Madhavan also said that the Chinese test had added to the debris problem in the outer space. "There are already about 8,000 objects in outer space posing a threat to the space assets of various countries and the Chinese test has added 600 to 800 more pieces."

Also, even though the Indian Air Force (IAF) was expected to be the launch customer it was yet to send in a letter of intent. The IAF is expected to use the aircraft for training and other roles.