Indian Space Situational Assessment Report
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released the Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2024 on 22nd April 2025. This report marks the state of space situational awareness activities in India. It aims to protect national space assets from various hazards, including space debris and natural objects. The ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management (IS4OM) oversees these efforts.
Space Situational Awareness Activities
ISRO conducts Space Situational Awareness (SSA) to monitor and manage risks to space assets. This includes close approach risk assessments and predicting uncontrolled atmospheric re-entries. The ISSAR is compiled annually to inform stakeholders about the current space environment.
Global Launch Statistics
In 2024, there were 261 launch attempts globally, with 254 successful missions resulting in 2578 operational satellites being added. This year marked a peak in space launch activities. However, the total number of objects placed in orbit was lower than in 2023, primarily due to fewer launch events.
Space Debris Overview
Three on-orbit break-up events occurred in 2024, notably from a Long March rocket stage, contributing to an increase in space debris. By year-end, the total number of space debris objects had risen to 3665. This marks the growing concern regarding space debris management.
Indian Space Assets
As of December 2024, India had launched 136 spacecraft, including 22 operational satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 31 in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO). Notable missions included the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter and Aditya-L1, which continue to operate successfully.
Collision Avoidance Measures
ISRO employs Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres (CAM) to mitigate risks from close approaches to its satellites. In 2024, ISRO issued over 53,000 alerts for potential collisions and executed 10 CAMs. Improved methodologies have reduced the need for extensive manoeuvres.
International Cooperation Efforts
ISRO actively collaborates with international organisations to address space debris and ensure sustainable space operations. This includes participation in the Inter-Agency Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and contributions to space debris mitigation guidelines.
Debris Free Space Mission
In 2024, India announced its intention to achieve a Debris Free Space Mission by 2030. This initiative aims to ensure compliance with post-mission disposal guidelines and reduce the lifespan of spent satellites in orbit.
Future Directions
The ISSAR indicates an increasing trend in space activities and congestion in orbits, particularly in LEO. The establishment of the NEtwork for space objects TRacking and Analysis (NETRA) project aims to enhance SSA capabilities. This includes deploying radar and optical telescopes for tracking space objects.
| Related | |
|---|---|
