BENGALURU: Isro 's annual Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2023, released Monday, shows continued growth of the space object population, with 3,143 new objects added in 2023 from 212 launches and on-orbit breakup events globally, compared to 2,533 objects from 179 launches in 2022.
This increasing congestion poses risks to operational satellites from potential collisions with debris. For India, the year saw the successful launch of seven Isro missions, placing five Indian satellites, 46 foreign satellites, and eight rocket bodies into orbit.
However, the country also had to carry out a record number of collision avoidance maneuvers (CAMs) for its operational satellites due to close approaches by other space objects.
"An increasing trend in CAMs per year is observed, which can be correlated with the growing congestion in outer space," the ISSAR report states, noting that 3,033 close approach alerts within 1 km were detected for Isro satellites in 2023.
While no actual collisions occurred, the report emphasises the need for responsible behaviour and co-ordination among space operators to mitigate risks. Launch timings for some Isro missions had to be adjusted based on collision avoidance analyses to avoid potential close encounters.
According to the report, 21 Indian satellites reentered Earth's atmosphere by the end of 2023, with eight satellites undergoing reentry in the year 2023 alone. Among these, the Megha-Tropiques-1 satellite underwent a meticulously planned and highly challenging controlled reentry.
The report revealed that a total of 82 rocket bodies from Indian launches had been placed in orbit until the end of 2023. One notable incident occurred in 2001 when the upper stage of the PSLV-C3 rocket accidentally broke up, generating 371 pieces of debris. While most of these fragments have reentered the atmosphere, 52 PSLV-C3 debris remained in orbit until the end of 2023.
Of the intact Indian upper stages, 35 rocket bodies had reentered the Earth's atmosphere by the end of 2023, with five such reentries occurring in 2023 alone.
The report stated that Isro received more than 1.3 lakh close approach alerts from the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM). These alerts were re-assessed using more accurate orbital data of Indian operational satellites.
"A total of 3,033 alerts were detected for close approaches within a distance of 1 kilometer, and around 2,700 close approaches were observed with other operational satellites within a 5-kilometer range," the report said.
In certain instances, coordination was carried out with international agencies such as SpaceX and EUMETSAT to address potential close approaches. However, none of the close approaches were deemed critical enough to warrant a CAM.
During 2023, Isro conducted a total of 23 CAMs to protect its space assets, marking an increase from 21 CAMs in 2022 and 19 in 2021.
No concerning close approaches were detected for Chandrayaan-3 throughout its mission phases or for Aditya-L1 during its Earth-bound phase.
"Operating in an environment inhabited by a growing population of active satellites requires Space Traffic Management," the report states, calling for the development of a universally accepted framework and the adoption of best practices for long-term sustainability of space activities.
As the space sector continues to expand with more players and ambitious ventures like mega-constellations and space tourism, innovative solutions such as active debris removal and on-orbit servicing will be crucial to ensuring safe and sustainable operations in the increasingly crowded space environment.
This increasing congestion poses risks to operational satellites from potential collisions with debris. For India, the year saw the successful launch of seven Isro missions, placing five Indian satellites, 46 foreign satellites, and eight rocket bodies into orbit.
However, the country also had to carry out a record number of collision avoidance maneuvers (CAMs) for its operational satellites due to close approaches by other space objects.
"An increasing trend in CAMs per year is observed, which can be correlated with the growing congestion in outer space," the ISSAR report states, noting that 3,033 close approach alerts within 1 km were detected for Isro satellites in 2023.
While no actual collisions occurred, the report emphasises the need for responsible behaviour and co-ordination among space operators to mitigate risks. Launch timings for some Isro missions had to be adjusted based on collision avoidance analyses to avoid potential close encounters.
According to the report, 21 Indian satellites reentered Earth's atmosphere by the end of 2023, with eight satellites undergoing reentry in the year 2023 alone. Among these, the Megha-Tropiques-1 satellite underwent a meticulously planned and highly challenging controlled reentry.
The report revealed that a total of 82 rocket bodies from Indian launches had been placed in orbit until the end of 2023. One notable incident occurred in 2001 when the upper stage of the PSLV-C3 rocket accidentally broke up, generating 371 pieces of debris. While most of these fragments have reentered the atmosphere, 52 PSLV-C3 debris remained in orbit until the end of 2023.
Of the intact Indian upper stages, 35 rocket bodies had reentered the Earth's atmosphere by the end of 2023, with five such reentries occurring in 2023 alone.
The report stated that Isro received more than 1.3 lakh close approach alerts from the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM). These alerts were re-assessed using more accurate orbital data of Indian operational satellites.
"A total of 3,033 alerts were detected for close approaches within a distance of 1 kilometer, and around 2,700 close approaches were observed with other operational satellites within a 5-kilometer range," the report said.
In certain instances, coordination was carried out with international agencies such as SpaceX and EUMETSAT to address potential close approaches. However, none of the close approaches were deemed critical enough to warrant a CAM.
During 2023, Isro conducted a total of 23 CAMs to protect its space assets, marking an increase from 21 CAMs in 2022 and 19 in 2021.
No concerning close approaches were detected for Chandrayaan-3 throughout its mission phases or for Aditya-L1 during its Earth-bound phase.
"Operating in an environment inhabited by a growing population of active satellites requires Space Traffic Management," the report states, calling for the development of a universally accepted framework and the adoption of best practices for long-term sustainability of space activities.
As the space sector continues to expand with more players and ambitious ventures like mega-constellations and space tourism, innovative solutions such as active debris removal and on-orbit servicing will be crucial to ensuring safe and sustainable operations in the increasingly crowded space environment.
You may also like
No bail to DHFL promoters seeking relief for spending half of maximum term in jail
Prince Harry 'didn't ask King Charles to meet while in London', friend claims
TISS student moves HC against 'arbitrary' suspension for attending protest march
Love Island star Tasha Ghouri unrecognisable as they debut red hair transformation
