1. What is space situational awareness (SSA), and why is it important?
Space Situational Awareness (SSA) involves tracking and predicting the movement, size, and location of objects in space, including satellites and debris. With an increasing number of satellites and space debris in low-Earth orbit, SSA is critical to prevent collisions and manage satellite safety. It helps protect valuable space assets from accidental collisions, which could lead to further debris and operational hazards .
2. How is ISRO enhancing its SSA capabilities?
ISRO is advancing its SSA efforts with new missions and technology developments:
• Space Docking Experiment (SPADEX): Scheduled for next month, this mission aims to demonstrate docking capabilities, allowing ISRO to connect a propulsive device to a satellite to deorbit it, aligning with the goal of zero space debris.
• Tethered Capture Mission: ISRO also plans to test a tethered capture system, where a robotic arm attached to a launch vehicle will capture and move satellites safely.
• Service Modules: ISRO is developing service modules capable of refueling and deorbiting aging satellites to extend their operational life or remove them from orbit safely .
3. Why does India need its own SSA capabilities?
ISRO Chief S. Somanath emphasized that without robust observational capabilities, countries must rely on other nations or external sources for orbital data, which might not always be reliable or accurate. Building indigenous SSA infrastructure allows India to independently monitor space traffic, reducing reliance on other countries and ensuring the safety of its own satellites .
4. What technologies are used in SSA?
SSA requires a variety of technologies, including:
• Radar systems: To track the position and movement of objects in space.
• Optical and radio telescopes: For precise observations of satellites and debris.
• Geo-location and radar communication sensors: These aid in tracking and collision prediction.
• Laser systems and weather forecasting sensors: These technologies are crucial for advanced collision avoidance and situational awareness .
5. How much space debris is currently tracked, and what are the challenges?
There are over 40,500 debris objects larger than 10 cm, 1.1 lakh objects between 1 cm and 10 cm, and around 130 million objects smaller than 1 cm in orbit. While larger debris can be tracked, objects between 1 cm and 10 cm pose a challenge. They are too small for standard tracking systems but still large enough to cause significant damage in a collision. These smaller objects are particularly challenging for SSA systems .
6. How does ISRO plan to address collision risks?
ISRO Chief Somanath noted that collision avoidance maneuvers are necessary even for small constellations of satellites. With just over 50 satellites in space, ISRO performed 100 collision avoidance maneuvers last year, demonstrating the growing importance of SSA. Automating such maneuvers and enhancing tracking capabilities are key focuses for ISRO to address the increased collision risks in crowded orbits .
India’s enhanced SSA initiatives are critical not only for satellite safety but also for its broader aspirations in space exploration, as reliable SSA capabilities provide a secure foundation for advanced missions and international collaborations.
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