Context
Recently, an article published by World Economic Forum highlighted the escalating crisis of orbital crowding, noting that space governance has failed to keep pace with the rapid deployment of satellite mega-constellations. According to the Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) 2026 released by ISRO, there are currently 129 trackable objects of Indian origin—including defunct satellites and spent rocket stages—cluttering the Earth’s orbit.
1. What is Space Debris?
Space debris encompasses all non-functional, human-made objects in Earth’s orbit or those re-entering the atmosphere.
- Sources: Defunct satellites spent rocket stages (like those from PSLV or LVM3), fragments from explosions, and even small particles like paint flakes.
- The Threat: These objects travel at speeds of approximately 7.8 km/s in LEO. At such velocities, even a 1-centimeter fragment can deliver the impact of a hand grenade, threatening active missions like the International Space Station (ISS) or the upcoming Bharatiya Antariksha Station.
- Kessler Syndrome: This is a theoretical tipping point where the density of objects in LEO is so high that a single collision starts with a chain reaction, creating a cloud of debris that makes space flight and satellite operations impossible for centuries.
2. India’s Strategic Initiatives
India has evolved a multi-layered approach to Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and debris management.
A. Project NETRA (Network for space object Tracking and Analysis)
- Status: An early warning system with a dedicated control center in Bengaluru.
- Utility: It uses high-precision radars and telescopes to detect and track hazards, allowing ISRO to perform Collision Avoidance Maneuvers (CAM) for its active satellites.
B. IS4OM (ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management)
- Function: Launched to centralize India’s SSA activities, it provides 24/7 monitoring and coordinates with global agencies to ensure the long-term sustainability of outer space.
C. Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM) 2030
- Objective: To ensure no new debris is left in orbit by Indian launches after 2030.
- Methods: Includes “Life-extension” missions or “De-orbiting” maneuvers where satellites use remaining fuel to re-enter and burn up in the atmosphere at the end of their functional life.
3. Global Frameworks and Modern Challenges
- IADC (Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee): An international forum of 13 space agencies (including ISRO) that sets the global benchmark for debris mitigation.
- UNCOPUOS Guidelines: India aligns its policies with the United Nations’ “Guidelines for the Long-term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities.”
- The “25-Year Rule”: A widely accepted international norm that suggests satellites should be de-orbited or moved to a “graveyard orbit” within 25 years of mission completion.
- Atmospheric Concerns: Recent research highlights that the frequent re-entry of “mega-constellations” (like Starlink) is increasing the concentration of aluminum oxides in the upper atmosphere, which could potentially deplete the ozone layer.
Q. With reference to the Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) and space debris, consider the following statements:
Statement-I: India has committed to achieving a "Zero Debris" status for all its space missions by the year 2030 through the Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM).
Statement-II: The Project NETRA is a dedicated Indian communication satellite designed to provide high-speed internet to the Arctic region.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
A) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
B) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
C) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.
D) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
Solution: C
• STATEMENT I IS CORRECT: India, through ISRO, has officially announced the Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM) to ensure zero debris creation by both government and private Indian space actors by 2030.
• STATEMENT II IS INCORRECT: Project NETRA is not a communication satellite; it is an Early Warning System and a network of observational facilities (radars and telescopes) used to track space debris and protect Indian space assets from collisions.
