NEW DELHI — India should have up to 100 satellites in orbit to safeguard Indian waters and counter Chinese surveillance in the region, a senior scientist says. As many as 19 Chinese surveillance satellites are currently monitoring the Indian Ocean region, one of the world’s most strategic areas, and India “needs to create capabilities to neutralize the information that is being transmitted through these satellites,” says Avinash Chander, director general of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

NEW DELHI — India’s space agency on Oct. 31 carried out a launch simulation for its first Mars orbiter to validate the mission’s flight readiness before its scheduled liftoff next week, a senior space scientist says. The 8 1/2-hr. simulation, which was conducted at the first launch pad in Sriharikota in south India, included satellite battery checkup, withdrawal of the mobile service tower and testing of electrical systems, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) Chairman K. Radhakrishnan says.

NEW DELHI — India has unveiled its newly developed Pragati surface-to-surface missile, which features a range of 60-170 km. The missile, developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), is being displayed at the Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition ADEX-2013. “It is a proud moment for all of us in DRDO and for all our industry partners,” says Avinash Chander, DRDO chief and scientific adviser to the defense minister.