Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Space debris refers to defunct artificial objects in space, primarily in Earth's orbit. These objects include spent rocket stages, defunct satellites, fragments from collisions or explosions, and even tools lost by astronauts during spacewalks.

• As of 2024, there are approximately 36,500 pieces of space debris larger than 10 cm orbiting Earth, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).

Body

Growing Problem of Space Debris and Its Potential Impacts:

• Threat to Operational Satellites: Space debris can damage or destroy functioning satellites, disrupting critical services such as communications, weather forecasting, and navigation systems.
  • In 2022, space debris from a Russian anti-satellite missile test came within 47 feet of damaging China's Tsinghua science satellite.
• Risks to Human Spaceflight: Debris poses a significant risk to crewed missions, potentially damaging spacecraft or threatening astronaut safety during extravehicular activities.
  • NASA estimates that the International Space Station has performed over 30 debris avoidance maneuvers since 1999.
• Economic Impacts: The need for constant monitoring, debris avoidance maneuvers, and potential loss of satellites can result in significant economic costs.
  • In 2023, the global space economy reached $546 billion, with satellite services accounting for a substantial portion. The growing debris problem threatens this rapidly expanding sector.
• Danger to Earth's Surface and Atmosphere: Large pieces of space debris that survive reentry can pose risks to populated areas, aircraft, and maritime vessels.
  • In 2021, a Chinese Long March 5B rocket stage made an uncontrolled reentry into Earth's atmosphere, plunging into the Indian Ocean just west of the Maldives.

Current Mitigation Efforts:

• Space Situational Awareness (SSA): Continuous monitoring and tracking of space objects to predict potential collisions.
  • The U.S. The Space Surveillance Network tracks over 27,000 pieces of orbital debris.
• Debris Removal Technologies: Various methods are being developed to actively remove debris from orbit.
  • In 2023, the ESA approved the ClearSpace-1 mission, set to launch in 2025, which aims to demonstrate technologies for capturing and de-orbiting space debris.
• International Guidelines: The UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has established guidelines for debris mitigation
• ISRO's Initiatives: The ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Operations Management and Project Netra are key initiatives aimed at enhancing India's capabilities in SSA and space debris management.

Conclusion

The rising challenge of space debris threatens the sustainability of space exploration and satellite operations, contributing to risks such as Kessler syndrome. Addressing this issue requires international cooperation, innovation, and responsible practices, including "design for demise" principles that ensure satellites burn up entirely upon re-entry.