Space debris poses a significant challenge to global space operations, including those over India. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has acknowledged the growing congestion in near-Earth space, which threatens vital space assets and necessitates proactive measures to address the threats posed by space debris.

India’s Initiatives to Mitigate Space Debris:

• Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM) Initiative: Launched by ISRO, this initiative aims to achieve debris-free space missions by all Indian space actors, both governmental and non-governmental, by 2030. This aligns with global efforts to regulate space debris creation and disposal.
• Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA): ISRO has initiated a ₹400 crore project called NETRA to track objects in space, including inactive satellites and space debris, to protect India’s space assets. This system will support remote and scheduled operations, following international guidelines on space debris mitigation.
• International Collaborations: Indian and Japanese startups, such as InspeCity and Orbital Lasers, are collaborating to explore the use of laser-equipped satellites for the removal of space debris, addressing the growing issue of orbital congestion.

Despite these efforts, the current presence of space debris over India and globally remains a concern. Continuous monitoring and active mitigation strategies are essential to safeguard space-based assets and ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities.