Recently, the Director of the Indian Space Research Organisation announced the aim to eliminate debris from all Indian Space Missions by 2030,[i] governmental or non-governmental. India's move has drawn attention from across the globe as it would allow it to expand its space diplomacy and take a leading position in space governance. This article describes how India is tackling the debris problem and why it is essential for the safety of the space environment both present and future generations.
What is Space Debris?
Space debris, a trace of human activity in space, constitutes a severe danger to the space environment. The possibility of collision of millions of fragments around the earth threatens operational satellites, spacecraft, and potentially human lives. Even the most minor debris can cause massive damage when it crashes into anything, disrupting essential functions such as communication and weather forecasting. The exponential increase in space debris puts long-term space activities and future exploration missions at risk. Accidents such as Kosmos 1275,[ii] Kosmos 2143, or Kosmos 2145[iii] have shown that it is necessary to reduce space debris and have led to greater emphasis on its tracking, reduction, and disposal operations. As human presence in space continues to grow, effective management of space junk becomes crucial in enhancing the safety and continuity of services in outer space.
India’s Initiatives in the Management of Space Debris
India’s space debris management initiatives showcase its dedication towards the safety and sustainability of space activities. The application of modern technology and collaboration between the Indian government and private companies put India at a vantage point to make crucial steps in reducing the hazards associated with space debris and protecting its space assets for posterity. Following are the initiatives of India in the management of space debris:
Debris Free Space Mission 2030
This comprehensive effort involves careful planning and execution of missions, thereby mitigating space debris arising from the operations of satellites and launch vehicles and during their post-mission disposal. It emphases collision avoidance and deliberate disintegration while ensuring a high probability of successful post-mission disposal through specific measures taken to enhance the safety of human beings during space travel. Furthermore, this initiative focuses on partnerships across borders while also building capacity for tracking objects in space and supporting investigations to maintain sustainability over long periods.[iv]
Space Situational Awareness Control Centre:
The Space Situational Awareness Control Centre (SSACC) safeguards and manages India’s space domain. It is the nucleus of India’s broader strategy for space resilience and sustainability, affirming its proactive approach towards dealing with the increasing difficulties of conducting activities in space due to crowding in orbit and the spread of debris. Moreover, this multifunctional centre also mirrors worldwide attempts to improve knowledge about what is happening in space and promote cooperation between countries in caring for global space resources on earth.[v]
ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management (IS4OM)
The ISRO Space Situational Awareness and Object Management (IS4OM) system is a complex infrastructure created to detect and track orbital debris. This framework dramatically improves satellite systems' resilience and shows India's commitment to responsible space activities. Based on advanced space situational awareness capabilities, IS4OM reflects India’s efforts to enhance its knowledge about space and protect its satellites and other celestial bodies that could be affected by them. In addition, this implementation points out that there should be international cooperation among states when dealing with different sides of the problem, such as prevention or cure for orbital junk, thus leading towards sustainable development and a safe environment within which outer-space activities can continue for many years.[vi]
Project Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) 2020
Project NETRA is the first Indian effort to create a timely warning system for space debris and related dangers its satellites face in space. The project shows that India wants to be ready for any threats against its activities in space, which are becoming more crowded and contested each year. Such initiatives will help strengthen India’s own space capabilities and support worldwide attempts at improving knowledge about what is happening in space and encouraging responsible behaviour among all nations using it.[vii]
Manastu Space
Within the ever-growing field of space technology, Manastu Space is an Indian start-up taking on new challenges in orbital debris removal. This start-up is currently leading the way with its development of state-of-the-art technology for de-orbiting satellites, extending their lifespan in orbit, and refuelling them while they are there, among other things. By going where no man has gone before and finding new ways to solve old problems concerning space junk and satellite sustainability, this start-up represents India’s determination to promote self-reliance in space technology invention. This move demonstrates India’s capabilities in science and shows how serious it is about becoming independent when working beyond the earth’s atmosphere comes into play. Through investing strategically at home with companies such as Manastu Space, India hopes to tap into the game-changing social benefits that could be brought about using space technologies and position itself as a leader within this sector worldwide.[viii] Success of private companies like Manastu Space is also reflective of the vibrancy of the Indian start-up ecosystem, including in the space sector.
India's International Collaboration in Debris Management
The way India involves itself with other countries in managing space junk is very complex and well thought out, for instance, by joining the Inter-agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC).[ix] India participates in all the working groups and steering committees, thus ensuring active participation globally in shaping strategies and policies on space debris. It also contributes to re-entry prediction campaigns, increasing the capability to forecast and manage tracks of space junk. Apart from IADC, other forums deal with this matter, such as International Organisation of Standards (ISO) Working Group-7 and the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Working Group on Space Debris and Space Traffic Management (STM) initiatives, where collaboration happens with India.
India has committed to working with other nations by cooperating with well-known space agencies, such as DLR, JAXA, NASA, ESA, and CNES. These collaborations enable them to collaborate on space debris mitigation and remediation, including the shared hosting of facilities for observing space junk. Moreover, India employs collaboration through purchasing or sharing space object tracking data from national and private Space Situational Awareness (SSA) agencies, improving the accuracy of conjunction analysis.[x]
Additionally, India places importance on building capacity through training and workshops. For instance, the European Space Agency provided Indian Space Research Organisation officials with four days of training on space debris, while a two-day joint workshop between ISRO and the French National Centre for Space Studies focused on Space Situational Awareness (SSA). These efforts highlight India's active strategy towards dealing with space debris problems via international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building improvement.
Way Forward
Major powers have been criticised for contributing to the problem of space debris by engaging in reckless space activities, unlike India, which is proactive. The history of China's deliberate destruction of satellites and anti-satellite missile testing has created a lot of space debris that threatens manned and uncrewed missions. Unlike nations where military interests dominate their space policies, India's move becomes a model for responsible behaviour in outer space and its focus on the use of space for developmental activities.
India can further strengthen its position as an eminent player in the global space arena by introducing several strategic measures that will enable it to improve its capabilities and influence over space governance. To effectively monitor and mitigate risks arising from space debris, India must invest more in advanced technologies for surveillance awareness of situations in outer space, like tracking satellites or debris. By improving its ability to survey outer space, India can offer valuable data to the international community.
Secondly, India should focus more on capacity building and information exchange initiatives to support developing countries in building their space capabilities and propagating responsible space usage. Using its knowledge and resources, India can fill this gap in technology and promote international cooperation on space governance.
Thirdly, India must be diplomatically active in encouraging recognition of international guidelines for responsible behaviour in space. These binding agreements may be developed and adopted by India at meetings such as those held within COPUOS – a parent organisation essentially controlling the peaceful use of outer space so that responsible behaviour is incentivised through regulations on debris and other forms of waste that endanger long-term sustainability.
Moreover, India should also look for the chance to collaborate with countries on the same line of thinking and space agencies to jointly devise strategies to manage space debris. Through building relationships around mutual interests and shared objectives, India can make a more significant difference in the world's space governance regime and contribute towards creating a rule-based order in outer space.
Conclusion
India's initiative to achieve debris-free space missions by 2030 demonstrates its commitment to responsible behaviour in space and leadership in dealing with the urgent problem of space junk. By taking the proactive steps mentioned above to mitigate the risks posed by space debris, India can further strengthen its position as a responsible country involved in outer-space activities that create a safe, secure, and sustainable environment for subsequent generations and enhance its role as a substantial contributor to space governance.
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*Keshav Verma, Research Associate, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.
Endnotes
[i] "India Aims to Achieve Debris Free Space Missions by 2030." 2024. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/india-aims-to-achieve-debris-free-space-missions-by-2030/article68071003.ece.
[ii] Nelson, T. G. "Regulating the Void: In-Orbit Collisions and Space Debris." The Space Review. 2014. https://www.thespacereview.com/article/2520/1.
[iii]Pultarova, Tereza. "Old Soviet Satellite Breaks Apart in Orbit after Space Debris Collision." Space.Com, 2023. https://www.space.com/soviet-satellite-breaks-apart-after-debris-strike.
[iv] Indian Space Research Organization. 2024. "India’s Intent on Debris-Free Space Missions - Explained." Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.isro.gov.in/Debris_Free_Space_Missions.html.
[v]Indian Space Research Organization. "Foundation Stone of Space Situational Awareness Control Centre by Chairman, ISRO”.https://www.isro.gov.in/Foundation-stone-of-Space.html.
[vi] Indian Space Research Organization. 2023. "Dedication of ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Operations Management (IS4OM) to the Nation." https://www.isro.gov.in/IS4OM.html.
[vii] Indian Space Research Organization. 2020. "ISRO SSA Control Centre Inaugurated by Dr. K. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, DOS." https://www.isro.gov.in/ISRO%20SSAControl%20Centre.html.
[viii] Singh, Arti. "Manastu Space Raises $3 Mn Round Led by IAN." The Mint, 2023. https://www.livemint.com/companies/start-ups/manastu-space-raises-3-mn-round-led-by-ian-11698305102773.html.
[ix]Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee. 1993. "What is IADC?" Accessed April 26, 2024. https://iadc-home.org/what_iadc.
[x] Guruprasad, B. R. "Understanding India’s International Space Cooperation Endeavour: Evolution, Challenges and Accomplishments." India Quarterly 74, no. 4 (2018): 455–481. https://doi.org/10.1177/0974928418802077.