Note- France is also planning to launch its Anti-Satellite Laser Weapon (ASLW). Already the US, Russia & China possess ASLW.
About the Military Exercise:
i.”AsterX” is the 1st Space Military Exercise of France & also the 1st among European Countries.This military drill is part of the French government’s strategy to make the country the world’s third-largest space power.
ii.The exercise consists of 18 simulated events that are conducted from an operations room.
iii.The Events are designed in a way to Stress test the Space defence system of France.
iv.The French Space Command (French: Commandement de l’Espace , CdE ) was created in 2019 and is set to have 500 personnel by 2025.
Background – In 2017, a “spy-satellite” tried to approach a Franco-Italian satellite, which is called “an act of espionage.”
Note – India Conducted its 1st Simulated Space Warfare Exercise, ‘IndSpaceEx’ in June, 2019.
Recent Related News:
i.ISRO to Launch Venus mission “Shukrayaan-1″ in 2025 with France’s CNRS Participation.
ii.India, France to launch Constellation of Maritime Surveillance Satellites for IOR Region.
About France:
President – Emmanuel Macron
Capital – Paris
Indo-French Military Exercise – “Shakti”
Indo-French Air Exercise – “Desert Knight”
Indo-French Naval Exercise – “Varuna”