Space Debris 

Syllabus: GS3/Awareness in the fields of Space

Context

• A 500-kg metal object, believed to be space debris, crashed in Kenya, highlighting concerns about accountability and regulatory gaps in space governance.

About Space Debris

• It includes non-functional satellites, abandoned rocket stages, and smaller fragments from previous space missions.
• The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS) defines space debris as all man-made objects, including fragments and elements thereof, in Earth orbit or re-entering the atmosphere, that are non-functional.
• According to NASA, millions of pieces of debris orbit the Earth, ranging from tiny paint flecks to large satellite remnants.

Factors Causing Space Debris

Examples

• 2022: Chinese Long March 5B rocket fell into the Indian Ocean, sparking concerns about uncontrolled re-entry.
• 2023: Parts of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket were discovered on a sheep farm in Australia.
• February 2024: Debris from a Russian satellite disintegrated over the United States, alarming residents.

Threats from Space Debris

International Laws on Space Debris Responsibility

• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA):
  • Outer Space Treaty (1967): It does not specifically address space debris, it emphasizes that nations are responsible for activities conducted in outer space, including by private entities under their jurisdiction.
    • Article VI of the treaty emphasizes that states bear responsibility for their space objects.
  • Liability Convention (1972): It introduces the concept of ‘absolute liability’ for damage caused by space objects on Earth.
    • Under this framework, launching states are automatically responsible for any harm caused by their debris, without the need to prove negligence.

India’s Initiatives in Space Debris Management

• ISRO adheres to internationally accepted space debris mitigation guidelines recommended by the UN-COPUOS and the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC).
• ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM): To focus on spaceflight safety and debris mitigation. 
• Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA): For Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capacity building.
• Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM) Initiative (2024) by ISRO: It aims to achieve debris-free space missions by all Indian space actors, both governmental and non-governmental, by 2030. The initiative focuses on:
  • Avoiding Debris Generation;
  • Collision Avoidance;
  • Post-Mission Disposal;

Challenges in Holding Countries Accountable

• Difficulty in Tracing Ownership: Identifying the exact origin of debris is challenging, especially for small fragments.
• Bureaucratic and Political Hurdles: Diplomatic processes for compensation can be slow and politically sensitive.
• No Penalties for Uncontrolled Re-entry: While the Liability Convention requires countries to pay for damages, it does not penalize them for allowing uncontrolled re-entries to happen.

Mitigation and Future Solutions

• International Cooperation: Strengthening international cooperation like the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) and developing standardized procedures for debris removal can enhance accountability and enforcement.
• Mandatory End-of-Life Plans: Space missions should include clear deorbiting strategies to minimize debris risks.
• Technological Innovations: Investing in technologies for active debris removal, such as the ADRAS-J mission by Astroscale, can help mitigate the risks posed by space junk.
• Liability Insurance: Countries and private companies could be required to have insurance policies covering potential damage from space debris.
• National Regulations: Implementing and enforcing national regulations that align with international treaties can ensure that countries take responsibility for their space activities.

Source: TH