Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Muskan Arora
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has declared its commitment to achieving "debris-free" space missions by the end of this decade, employing innovative deorbiting techniques to mitigate orbital debris.
In late March, ISRO announced the successful implementation of a satellite mission that resulted in minimal debris in orbit, achieved through the controlled re-entry of a spent rocket stage into Earth's atmosphere.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath affirmed the agency's dedication to ensuring future spacecraft launches adhere to stringent debris management protocols during a session hosted by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC).
ISRO aims to leverage its expertise in debris management to systematically de-orbit spacecraft, bringing them to a safe location upon mission completion.
With 54 operational spacecraft currently in orbit, ISRO successfully deorbited 13 satellites for controlled re-entry in the past year, demonstrating its commitment to responsible space practices.
ISRO's controlled atmospheric re-entry of the Cartosat-2 Earth-observation satellite in February exemplifies the agency's proactive approach to mitigating space debris.
Source: ISRO
Despite efforts to ensure complete vaporization during re-entry, uncertainties persist regarding the survival of satellite debris, as evidenced by recent incidents such as debris from the International Space Station impacting Earth.
The proliferation of space junk poses environmental challenges, with an estimated 30,000 objects larger than a softball and millions smaller posing collision risks and environmental hazards.
Studies highlighting the environmental impact of burning satellites, including increased metal vapor in Earth's stratosphere and potential disruptions to the planet's magnetic field, underscore the urgency of addressing space debris concerns.