India Space Debris: Orbit Cleaning & Challenges
- The Indian Space Research Institution (ISRO) is increasingly concerned about the growing problem of space junk.
- ISRO's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) division faced 10 high-risk collision scenarios in 2024.
- Earth’s orbits, particularly Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO), are becoming congested.
India’s orbital surroundings faces a growing crisis as space debris accumulates, posing critically important risks to critical satellites. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is actively combating this challenge, with over 3,600 new pieces of debris entering orbit in 2024 alone, forcing the agency to make crucial adjustments to prevent collisions. Discover how ISRO is implementing collision avoidance strategies, laser-based removal systems, and stricter disposal regulations to tackle the escalating threat of space junk. Facing a “crowded celestial highway,” ISRO is also enhancing its monitoring capabilities, with a new space debris radar in Chandrapur, Assam, tracking objects as small as 10 cm. Explore the ambitious goal of a “Debris-Free Space Mission” by 2030. At News Directory 3, our focus lands on the measures to preserve these crucial assets, ensuring continued advancements in space exploration and technology. What innovative solutions will emerge to safeguard our future in space?
Space Junk: ISRO Forced to Act as Orbital debris Soars
The Indian Space Research Institution (ISRO) is increasingly concerned about the growing problem of space junk. In 2024 alone, more than 3,600 new pieces of debris entered Earth’s orbit, creating what officials call an increasingly crowded celestial highway.
ISRO’s Space Situational Awareness (SSA) division faced 10 high-risk collision scenarios in 2024. These events forced the agency to make last-minute orbital adjustments to avoid potentially catastrophic crashes. One such incident involved a weather satellite that had to maneuver to dodge debris from a Chinese rocket explosion.
Earth’s orbits, particularly Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO), are becoming congested. Last year saw 261 launch attempts, adding 2,578 new satellites and contributing to the debris problem. This junk travels at speeds 10 times faster than a bullet, posing a meaningful threat to operational spacecraft.
India had 22 active satellites in LEO and 31 in GEO by the end of 2024. Protecting these assets from collisions is a critical priority for ISRO.
More than 2,095 cataloged objects re-entered Earth’s atmosphere in 2024, including 335 defunct Starlink satellites. While controlled de-orbiting ensures safe disposal, uncontrolled re-entries pose risks to infrastructure and human life.
In Jayanagar, Bihar, residents reported seeing drone-like luminous objects in the night sky. An investigation by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Indian Air Force persistent that these were low-flying Starlink satellites reflecting moonlight.
ISRO is taking steps to address the space junk problem. These include:
- Issuing 53,000 collision avoidance alerts in 2024.
- Developing laser-based debris removal systems.
- Implementing post-mission disposal regulations for satellites.
India aims to achieve a “Debris-Free Space Mission” by 2030.
ISRO is also working to improve its monitoring of foreign space objects through Project Netra. India’s first space debris monitoring radar is being established in Chandrapur, Assam, enhancing tracking capabilities for objects as small as 10 cm within a 2,000 km range.
The question remains: Can India and the world clean up space before it’s too late?