Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics, nano-technology, bio-technology.
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– ISRO achievements
– Space Debris
– Outer space pollution
-Indigenous technology
Context
ISRO ensured practically zero debris left in earth orbit after the PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission
Source
The Indian Express | Editorial dated 12th April 2024
ISRO’s ‘zero orbital debris’ milestone
In recent years, the issue of space debris has garnered significant attention as the number of satellites and space missions continues to rise. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has taken a noteworthy step towards addressing this concern with its PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission, which featured the innovative PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) . POEM-3, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), repurposed the spent fourth stage of the PSLV rocket, demonstrating a sustainable approach to space exploration.
Space Debris
Space debris refers to man-made objects in Earth’s orbit that no longer serve a useful purpose.
Space debris in the low earth orbit (LEO) mainly comprises pieces of spacecraft, rockets, and defunct satellites, and the fragments of objects that have deteriorated explosively as a result of anti-satellite missile tests. This debris often flies around at high speeds of up to 27,000 km/hr.
Risks Posed by Space Debris
- Collision Hazards:
- Space debris, traveling at high speeds, poses collision risks to operational satellites and spacecraft.
- Potential Damage to terrestrial assets:
- Debris fragments can cause damage upon impact, jeopardizing the functionality and safety of assets.
- For instance, on March 8, a discarded battery pallet dropped by the International Space Station ripped through the roof of a house in Florida, highlighting the potential danger posed by space debris to terrestrial property.
- Kessler Syndrome:
- Accumulation of debris can trigger cascading collisions, leading to further fragmentation and increased debris proliferation.
- Impact on Space Activities:
- Increased debris levels could hinder future space exploration and utilization of orbital resources, affecting various industries reliant on space technologies.
POEM to counter space debris
- POEM stands for PSLV Orbital Experimental Module.
- It was developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) as an economical space platform.
- Utilizes the spent fourth stage of a PSLV rocket as an orbital platform.
Features of POEM
- Powered by solar panels mounted on the fuel tank of the rocket’s fourth stage and a lithium-ion battery.
- Equipped with a navigation, guidance, and control (NGC) system for altitude stabilization.
- NGC system includes four Sun sensors, a magnetometer, and gyroscopes.
- Communicates with ISRO’s NavIC satellite constellation for navigation.
- Contains a telecommand system for ground station communication.
Significance of POEM-3
- Addresses the issue of space debris by deorbiting the spent stage.
- Represents a sustainable approach to space exploration.
- Highlights ISRO’s commitment to responsible space practices and debris mitigation
Other Initiatives to tackle space debris
- India:
- System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management (IS 4 OM) to continually monitor objects posing collision threats, predict the evolution of space debris, and mitigate the risk posed by space debris.
- ISRO has set up a Centre for Space Debris Research to monitor and mitigate the threat of space debris.
- ‘Project NETRA’ is also an early warning system in space to detect debris and other hazards to Indian satellites.
- Global:
- The U.S. Space Command tracks and catalogues space debris larger than 10 centimetres in LEO and larger than 0.3-1 metres in GEO.
- The Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), an international governmental forum, was established in 1993 to coordinate efforts between spacefaring nations to address the issue of space debris.
- The United Nations has established the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to develop guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space activities, including the mitigation of space debris.
- The European Space Agency (ESA) has launched the Clean Space initiative, aimed at reducing the amount of space debris and promoting sustainable space activities.
UN’s Five Treaties on Space Activities
- The Outer Space Treaty 1967:
- Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
- Rescue Agreement 1968:
- Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
- Liability Convention 1972:
- It deals mainly with damage caused by space objects to other space assets, but it also applies to damage caused by falling objects on earth.
- The Convention makes the launching country “absolutely liable” to pay compensation for any damage caused by its space object on the earth or to a flight in air. The country where the junk falls can stake a claim for compensation if it has been damaged by the falling object.
- The Registration Convention 1976:
- Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
- The Moon Agreement 1979:
- Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
- India is a signatory to all five of these treaties but has ratified only four. India did not ratify the Moon agreement.
Conclusion
ISRO’s successful deployment and controlled de-orbiting of POEM-3 mark a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable space exploration. By repurposing rocket stages and minimizing debris generation, ISRO has demonstrated its commitment to preserving the space environment for future generations. This mission serves as a testament to India’s prowess in space technology and its dedication to global space governance.
Related Topics
ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the national space agency of India ISRO was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
ISRO has achieved significant success in recent years, including:
- Chandrayaan Missions: ISRO has undertaken three lunar missions under the Chandrayaan program.
- Chandrayaan-1 launched in 2008 and made important discoveries about the Moon’s water ice content.
- Chandrayaan-2, launched in 2019, successfully sent an orbiter and lander to the Moon, although the lander Vikram had a hard landing.
- Chandrayaan-3 achieved a soft landing on the lunar surface in 2023, specifically designed to explore the Moon’s South Polar region.
- Mangalyaan Mission (Mars Orbiter Mission): Launched in 2013, Mangalyaan became the first Mars mission by an Asian nation and only the fourth country overall to successfully enter Martian orbit.
- Gaganyaan Mission: This ambitious human spaceflight program aims to send a crew of four astronauts to space by 2024.
- Developments in Launch Vehicles: ISRO operates a fleet of launch vehicles, including the highly reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
- ISRO is also developing the next–generation Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) technology.
- Satellite Navigation and Communication: ISRO operates the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NavIC) and the Indian National Satellite (INSAT) constellation, providing critical navigation and communication services throughout India.
ISRO’s achievements have made India a major player in the global space arena. The organization is known for its cost-effective and innovative approach to space exploration and development.
Read More: space-science
References:
Related PYQ
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Practice Question
Explain the significance of ISRO’s PSLV-C58/XPoSat mission and the role of POEM-3 in addressing the challenge of space debris? [150 words]