What is Anti-satellite (ASAT) Missile?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced about the successful test of the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile in space under three minutes, named 'Mission Shakti'. PM Modi called this is as an important step towards securing India's safety, economic growth and technological advancement.

Also, he congratulated everyone on the success of 'Mission Shakti'. In the wake of today's announcement it is pertinent to know about Anti-Satellite missile. 

 In an article published by Carin Zissis for Council of Foreign Relations, he defines anti-satellite (ASAT) as a weapon which destroys or interferes with satellites, impeding a nation's ability to collect intelligence or direct attacks. Such a weapon can be air, land, or sea-based. Research into anti-satellite systems began after the Soviet Union launched the world's first satellite, Sputnik, in October 1957.