Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Steps Up Space Debris Mitigation Measures

Key facts

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working on debris prevention, improved monitoring, and technologies for active debris removal.
• Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh told the Rajya Sabha that large satellite constellations increase the chance of collisions in busy orbital regions.
• ISRO's Debris Free Space Mission aims to reduce the creation of new orbital debris through responsible satellite lifecycle management.
• India's space policy mandates internationally recognised debris-mitigation practices, with IN-SPACe issuing guidelines in 2024 for post-mission disposal.
• ISRO has initiated activities to support future Active Debris Removal of objects posing risks to operational spacecraft.
• Space Situational Awareness is a major component of India's strategy to track objects and identify close approaches.
• ISRO has been a participant in the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee since 1996.