Space Debris

Syllabus: Science and Technology

Source:  TH

Context: A 500-kg metal object, suspected to be space debris, crashed in Kenya, raising concerns over accountability and legal gaps in space governance.

Understanding Space Debris:

What is Space Debris?

• Man-made objects in Earth’s orbit or re-entering the atmosphere that are non-functional.
• Includes defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and collision fragments.

Types of Space Debris:

1. Large Debris: Defunct satellites, rocket boosters, fuel tanks that survive reentry.
2. Small Debris: Fragments from satellite collisions, disintegrated spacecraft.
3. Microscopic Debris: Paint flakes, dust particles, and metal fragments from damaged satellites.

Laws Governing Space Debris:

• Outer Space Treaty (1967): Holds states responsible for national space activities by both government and private entities.
• Liability Convention (1972): Imposes absolute liability on launching states for damage caused by space objects on Earth.
• Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (UN COPUOS): Encourages safe disposal of satellites but remains non-binding.
• 25-Year Rule (UN & IADC): Recommends deorbiting satellites within 25 years, with only 30% compliance globally.
• National Regulations (U.S., EU, China): Mandate tracking, disposal, and deorbiting plans, but enforcement is weak.

Challenges in Space Debris Governance:

• Lack of Binding International Regulations: No enforceable global framework for debris mitigation and liability enforcement.
• Attribution Issues: Difficulty in identifying the source of debris, especially for older, fragmented objects.
• Rising Space Traffic: Increasing satellite mega-constellations (Starlink, OneWeb, Kuiper) escalate the risk of collisions.
• Uncontrolled Reentries: No penalties for countries allowing uncontrolled descents of space objects.
• Enforcement & Compensation Gaps: Past incidents (e.g., Cosmos 954 crash in Canada, 1978) show delays in compensation settlements.

India’s Initiatives for Space Debris Management:

• ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Operations Management (IS4OM) (2022): Monitors space objects that pose collision threats to Indian satellites.
• Project Netra (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis): Detects, tracks, and catalogs debris as small as 10 cm up to a range of 3,400 km.
• Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres: ISRO performed 21 collision avoidance manoeuvres in 2022 to prevent space debris impact.
• Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Control Centre (2020): Functions as India’s central hub for monitoring and managing space traffic.
• International Collaboration: India actively engages in UN discussions on space debris mitigation and sustainability.

Way Ahead:

• Binding Global Regulations: UN COPUOS must introduce mandatory disposal rules for satellites and penalties for uncontrolled re-entries.
• Enhanced Tracking & Prediction Systems: Expanding advanced monitoring networks (e.g., Space Fence, AI-based tracking) to trace debris origins.
• Mandatory Deorbiting Plans: Launch approvals must require clear disposal strategies such as controlled re-entry or graveyard orbits.
• Independent Liability Tribunal: A global arbitration body should ensure quick compensation settlements for damage caused by space debris.
• Sustainable Space Practices: Promote reusable rocket technology, debris-removal missions, and cleaner propulsion systems.

Conclusion:

With rising space activity, uncontrolled reentries pose increasing risks to Earth. The lack of binding international rules has left affected communities without legal recourse. Strengthening global cooperation, enforcing strict disposal rules, and establishing a liability framework are crucial to ensuring long-term space sustainability.

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