Space Debris is a big concern, the ISRO head announced that the space debris must be eliminated from space by the end of 2030. This will be called Indian Space Missions 2030. This announcement from the ISRO head is seeking attention from all over the world and India may lead the Space Debris Cleaner Mission. Let’s discuss why it is required to clear space debris and what steps should be taken.
What is Space Debris?
When scientists enter space, the traces of human activities are left in space. These traces or equipment may become dangerous for us. There are millions of parts of spacecraft, and satellites, in space that may become a cause of collision and can threaten human life on earth and damage our satellites in space. We can’t keep control over the the particles in the space that are left by us, the small particles can cause many unbearable harm to us. This is required to reduce space debris from the space to protect our satellites and also human life, proper steps must be taken to remove these particles from space.
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India’s Initiatives in the Management of Space Debris
India will focus on the safety and sustainability of space during the Space Debris mission. The Indian Govt may collaborate with private companies for the Spave Debris mission.
Debris Free Space Mission 2030
The ISRO will take the initiative for the systematic planning and execution of the Space Debris mission. All of the Debris that comes from the various space missions and the launch of satellites will be removed. ISRO aims to avoid any collision with this space debris. The emphasis will be given towards the proper disposal methods should be taken after the completion of any space mission in future. The Space Debris cleaning project needs cross-country collaboration.
Space Situational Awareness Control Centre
A dedicated team will work for all of the Space Debris Mission, and the team will work as SSACC- Space Situational Awareness Control Centre. This centre will work for India and act on behalf of India. The process of removal of space debris is complicated as while the removal of debris no other counr orbit must be harmed. All other nations are required to come forward to tackle this global issue.
ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management -IS4OM
It is needed to track the Space Debris first, only then we can remove that Debris from space. The ISRO has developed a system for this operation- IS4OM. It is ISRO Space Situational Awareness and Object Management. The organization will collaborate with international organizations so that while removing any debris from the space, all other operations in the orbits will be smooth. Space has a network of orbits from all of the countries. By developing a dedicated organization India has proven that the safety and sustainability of the environment are kept in intellect.
Project Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) 2020
India in 2020 created a warning system that gives warnings to remove space debris with fixed intervals of time. The system also describes the dangers associated with space debris. The system monitors the space activities within India’s reach and gives us reports about the congestion in space year by year.
Manastu Space
Manastu Space is an Indian Start-up company that has taken the initiative of space debris removal. The company has already started the work of de-orbiting satellites, extending the lifespan of the satellite in orbit, refuelling the satellite, etc.
India’s International Collaboration in Debris Management
India has taken seriously the problem of space debris and the resolution of space debris will be a collaborative effort from all of the countries. India has joined the IADC-Inter-agency Space Debris Coordination Committee. India has actively participated in all of the workshops organized across the world concerning the problem of space debris. The meetings all over the world have taken several actions for the following problems.
- re-entry prediction campaigns
- forecast space junk
- tracks space junk
- remove space junk
The ISO – International Organization of Standards organisation has also taken several steps for the Space Debris. There are other companies also that are concerned about Space Debris like IAA- International Academy of Astronautics, STM- Space Traffic Management, and others.
India will continue to work with space-associated companies like NASA, DLR, ESA, JAXA, and CNES. All these companies will deal with the space debris issues by collaborating on their shared hosting of facilities. India also joins other agencies for proper training and attending workshops. The European Space Agency has collaborated with India for 4-day training on space debris. Similarly, the French National Centre for Space Studies had a 2-days workshop with ISRO on the same issue.
Way Forward
The countries that have contributed more to space debris have been criticized internationally and warned not to pollute space further. The history of China is not good with Space Debris as the destruction of satellites has been seen. India has shown responsible behaviour in resolving the Space Debris issues globally. In future, we can expect from India below aspects.
- to effectively monitor and mitigate risks of space debris
- to invest more in advanced technologies
- to offer valuable data to the international community
- to focus more on capacity building and information exchange
- to regulate the peaceful use of outer space
- to jointly design strategies to manage space debris
- to closely monitor the space debris activities in the space