Space Debris and International Laws on Space Debris

News: A 500-kg metal object, believed to be space debris, crashed in Kenya, sparking concerns about accountability and legal gaps in space governance. Space Debris and International Laws on Space Debris

About Space Debris

• Space debris refers to defunct, non-functional objects in Earth’s orbit, including fragments of old satellites, spent rocket stages, and collision remnants.
• Examples of space debris:
  • Recently, SpaceX’s massive Starship spacecraft exploded in space after launching from Texas, contributing to space debris.
  • In 2024, a high-speed cylindrical object weighing approximately 0.7 kilograms crashed through the roof of a home in Naples, Florida. NASA later identified the object as a piece of space debris originating from the International Space Station (ISS).
  • ISROs launch vehicle PSLV-C19’s 4th stage (it had launched radar imaging satellite RISAT-1 in 2012) burnt up over the Central Atlantic.

International Laws on Space Debris

• Outer Space Treaty (1967): Holds states accountable for space activities conducted by both governmental and private entities.
• Liability Convention (1972): Establishes absolute liability for launching states in cases where space objects cause damage on Earth.
• Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (UN COPUOS): Promote the safe disposal of satellites but remain non-binding.
• 25-Year Rule (UN & IADC): Advises deorbiting satellites within 25 years, though global compliance is only around 30%.
• National Regulations (U.S., EU, China): Require tracking, disposal, and deorbiting plans, but enforcement remains weak.

India’s Initiatives in Space Debris Management

• India has announced the Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM) initiative, aiming to achieve zero space debris in all Indian space missions—both governmental and non-governmental—by 2030.
• The ISRO Space Situational Awareness and Object Management (IS4OM) system is a complex infrastructure created to detect and track orbital debris.
• Project Netra (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis) 2020  is ISRO’s early warning system designed to detect space debris and other hazards that could endanger Indian satellites.
• Manastu Space is an Indian start-up that is leading in orbital debris removal with advanced technology for de-orbiting, extending satellite lifespan, and in-orbit refueling.
• To prevent collisions with other space objects, ISRO conducted 21 collision avoidance maneuvers for Indian operational satellites in 2022.
• The ISRO Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Control Centre, established in 2020, serves as the central hub for all space situational awareness activities in India, ensuring the safe and sustainable operation of the country’s space assets.