Space Debris

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3-Feb-2023: Space debris identified by India

Government of India has announced that 111 payloads and 105 space debris have been identified as Indian objects orbiting Earth. All orbiting debris will affect the future of outer space and future missions. ISRO has also been carrying out several studies on the impact of growing space debris on the space environment.

Space debris are man-made objects in Earth's orbit that no longer serve a useful purpose. These include defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments of debris from collisions or other events.

Potential hazards:

  • Threat for Operational Satellites: Collisions with debris can leave satellites dysfunctional
  • Kessler Syndrome: Overpopulation of space with debris
  • Reduction of Orbital Slots: Accumulation of debris can limit availability of desirable orbital slots
  • Space Situational Awareness: Tracking and predicting orbits becomes more challenging

Initiatives to curb space debris:

India:

  • In 2022, ISRO set up the System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management(IS 4 OM): Monitors objects posing collision threats, predicts evolution of debris, and mitigates risk.
  • 21 collision avoidance manoeuvres carried out in 2022 to avoid collisions with other space objects.
  • Centre for Space Debris Research: Monitors and mitigates debris threat
  • Project NETRA: An early warning system to detect debris and other hazards to Indian satellites

Global:

  • Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC): An international forum to coordinate efforts between spacefaring nations to address debris issue
  • The United Nations has established the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS): Develops guidelines for long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including debris mitigation
  • ESA Clean Space initiative: reduces amount of debris and promotes sustainable space activities

Solutions:

  • Reusable Launch Vehicles to reduce the number of new debris generated from launches.
  • Improved Tracking and Monitoring mitigates risks to operational satellites and human space missions.
  • Materials and Design Improvements using more durable materials and designing satellites for eventual de-orbiting can reduce the number of debris generated in long term.