ISRO Confirms Cosmic Dust Hits Earth Every 16 Minutes

The Indian Space Research Organisation has revealed fresh findings on cosmic dust particles constantly interacting with Earth’s atmosphere, offering new insights into near-Earth space conditions. Using a first-of-its-kind indigenous instrument, ISRO has confirmed that a microscopic cosmic dust particle strikes Earth’s atmosphere roughly every thousand seconds, or about once every 16 minutes.

DEX Instrument and Scientific Breakthrough

The discovery was made using the Dust EXperiment (DEX), India’s first homegrown cosmic dust detector, developed by Indian Space Research Organisation. The compact 3-kg instrument was launched on January 1, 2024, aboard the XPoSat mission. During experimental operations conducted between January and February 2024, DEX successfully detected repeated high-speed dust impacts while skimming Earth’s upper atmosphere.

Understanding Interplanetary Dust Particles

ISRO explained that the detected particles are Interplanetary Dust Particles, or IDPs, described as microscopic debris originating from comets and asteroids. These particles form a thin “meteor layer” in Earth’s atmosphere and are responsible for the fleeting streaks of light commonly seen as shooting stars. The detector’s wide 140-degree field of view allowed it to log multiple impact signals, confirming the persistent influx of cosmic material into Earth’s atmospheric boundary.

Technical Capabilities and Orbital Observations

Operating at an orbital inclination of about 9.5 degrees, DEX is designed to “listen” to hypervelocity impacts rather than visually observe them. ISRO stated that the instrument reliably distinguished dust impacts from background noise and orbital debris, validating its capability to measure micro-particle collisions in low Earth orbit. These observations significantly improve scientific understanding of the density and behaviour of cosmic dust near the planet.

Imporatnt Facts for Exams

• DEX is India’s first indigenous cosmic dust detection instrument.
• It was launched aboard XPoSat on January 1, 2024.
• Cosmic dust particles hit Earth’s atmosphere roughly every 1,000 seconds.
• Interplanetary dust mainly originates from comets and asteroids.

Relevance for Space Safety and Future Missions

ISRO highlighted that studying cosmic dust is critical for protecting satellites and spacecraft from micro-impact damage. The data will also support planning for India’s human spaceflight programme, including the Gaganyaan mission. Beyond Earth, DEX-like instruments are expected to play a vital role in planetary exploration by helping scientists study the atmospheric environments of planets such as Venus and Mars, strengthening India’s capabilities in deep-space science and exploration.