1.

Space Science & Exploration

 Indian space programme encompasses research in areas like astronomy, astrophysics, planetary and
earth sciences, atmospheric sciences and theoretical physics.
 Balloons, sounding rockets, space platforms and ground-based facilities support these research
efforts.
 Examples:
o AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources
in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously. It was launched on September 28,
2015 into a 650 km orbit. The minimum useful life of the AstroSat mission is expected to be 5
years. Astrosat is India’s first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory. It enables the
simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various astronomical objects with a single
satellite.
 The unique feature of ASTROSAT mission is that ASTROSAT with a lift-off mass of
about 1513 kg was launched into a 650 km orbit by the PSLV-C30.
 Before India, NASA, space agencies of the European Union, Japan, and Russia are
the other countries that have launched similar facilities into space.
 The scientific objectives of the ASTROSAT mission are:
 To understand high energy processes in binary star systems containing neutron
stars and black holes
 Estimate magnetic fields of neutron stars.
 Study star birth regions and high energy processes in star systems lying beyond
our galaxy.
 Detect new briefly bright X-ray sources in the sky.
 Perform a limited deep field survey of the Universe in the Ultraviolet region.

o Mars Orbiter Mission is ISRO’s first interplanetary mission to planet Mars with an orbiter
craft designed to orbit Mars. It was launched on November 5, 2013 and successfully entered
Mars' orbit on September 24, 2014, making India the fourth space agency to reach Mars, after
Roscosmos, NASA, and the European Space Agency and the first to do it in its first attempt.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding The Mangalyaan, launched by ISRO. [UPSC (Pre)-2016]
1. It is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission.
2. It made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit Mars, after USA.
3. It made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit Mars in its very first attempt.

Which of the statements given above is/are

correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3
(d)1, 2 and 3

o Chandrayaan-1, India's first mission to Moon, was launched successfully on October 22,
2008 from SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota. The spacecraft carried 11 scientific instruments built in
India, USA, UK, Germany, Sweden and Bulgaria.
o Chandrayaan-2, an advanced version of the previous Chandrayaan-1 mission to Moon.
Chandrayaan-2 was configured as a two module system comprising of an Orbiter Craft module
(OC) and a Lander Craft module (LC) carrying the Rover developed by ISRO.
o Chandrayaan-3
o Aditya-L1 etc.

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
Q: With reference to 'Astrosat', the astronomical observatory launched by India, which of the following
statements is/are correct? [UPSC (Pre)-2016]
1. Other than USA and Russia, India is the only country to have launched a similar observatory into space.
2. Astrosat is a 2,000-kilogram satellite placed in an orbit at 1,650 kilometres above the surface of the Earth. Select
the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
I Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither I nor 2

2. Satellite Navigation
 Is an emerging satellite-based system with commercial and strategic applications.

 ISRO is committed to provide the satellite-based Navigation services to meet the emerging
demands of the Civil Aviation and to meet the user requirements of the positioning,
navigation and timing based on the independent satellite navigation system.
 To meet the Civil Aviation requirements, ISRO is working jointly with Airport
Authority of India (AAI) in GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system.
 To meet the user requirements of the positioning, navigation and timing services based on the
indigenous system, ISRO is establishing a regional satellite navigation system called Indian
Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

GPS is a satellite navigation system, used to determine the ground position of an object. Cell towers use it to route
your phone calls, ATMs and cash registers use it for your transactions, electrical grids use it to send power to your
house, and stock exchanges use it to regulate the trades that go into your stock portfolio or investment fund. It is
a U.S owned utility that provides users with positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. It is a network 24
satellite which provides service to civilian and military users.

Q: In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used? [UPSC (Pre)-2018)]
1. Moblie phone operations 2. Banking operation 3. Controlling the power grids
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) Only 1 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d)1, 2 and 3
Bhuvan:

 BHUVAN, also called the Indian version of Google Maps, is a multi-purpose end-user satellite application
platform.
 It is powered by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
 This software application allows the users to explore a 2D/3D representation of the surface of the Earth.
 The browser is specifically tailored to view India, offering the highest resolution in the region.
 It offers detailed imagery of Indian locations compared to other Virtual Globe Software, with spatial
resolutions ranging up to 1 metre.
 Due to security concerns, the images available do not include any military installations in India. The content is
provided in four local languages.

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
Note: A geoportal is a gateway to web-based geospatial resources, enabling you to discover, view, and access
geospatial information and services.

Q: In the context of space technology, what is "Bhuvan", that has recently been in the news? [UPSC (Pre)-
2010]

(a) A mini satellite launched by ISRO for promoting distance education in India.

(b) The name given to the next Moon Impact Probe, for Chandrayan-II.

(c) A geoportal of ISRO with 3D imaging capabilities of India.

(d) A space telescope developed by India.

3. Experimental Satellites
 ISRO has launched many small satellites mainly for the experimental purposes. This
experiment include Remote Sensing, Atmospheric Studies, Payload Development, Orbit
Controls, recovery technology etc.
 Example: Aryabhata, Youthsat etc.

4. Small Satellites
 The small satellite project is envisaged to provide platform for stand-alone payloads for earth
imaging and science missions within a quick turnaround time. For making the versatile
platform for different kinds of payloads, two kinds of buses have been configured and
developed.
o Indian Mini Satellite -1 (IMS-1)
o Indian Mini Satellite -2 (IMS-2)

5. Satellites realised by private players or students

 ISRO has influenced educational institutions by its activities like making satellites for
communication, remote sensing and astronomy. The launch of Chandrayaan-1 increased
the interest of universities and institutions towards making experimental student satellites.
Capable Universities and institution can venture into space technology on-orbit with guidance
and support from ISRO in following ways.
 Example:
o AzaadiSAT-2
o Thybolt
o AzaadiSAT
o INSPIREsat-1
o Satish Dhawan SAT(SDSAT)
o UNITYsat
o Kalamsat-V2
o Cartosat-2 Series Satellite
o PRATHAM

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
Space Law

 The origins of space law date back to 1919, with international law recognizing each country's sovereignty
over the airspace directly above their territory, later reinforced at the Chicago Convention in 1944
(Convention on International Civil Aviation).
 The onset of domestic space programs during the Cold War propelled the official creation of international
space policy (i.e. the International Geophysical Year, was an international scientific project that lasted from 1
July 1957 to 31 December 1958) initiated by the International Council of Scientific Unions.
 The Soviet Union's 1957 launch of the world's first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, directly spurred the
United States Congress to pass the Space Act, thus creating the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA).
 Because space exploration required crossing transnational boundaries, it was during this era where space
law became a field independent from traditional aerospace law.
 Since the Cold War, the "Outer Space Treaty" and the International Telecommunication Union have
served as the constitutional legal framework for the space law.
 Further, the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is responsible for
debating issues of international space law and policy.
 The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) serves as the secretariat of the committee
and is promoting Access to Space for All through a wide range of conferences and capacity-building
programs.

International treaties
Six international treaties have been negotiated to govern state behaviour in space:

Year of
Year
Treaty Official title entry into
signed
force

Partial Test Ban Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer
1963 1963
Treaty Space, and Under Water

Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the

Outer Space
Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other 1967 1967
Treaty
Celestial Bodies

Rescue Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts and

1967 1968
Agreement the Return of Objects Launched into Outer Space

Liability Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space

1972 1972
Convention Objects

Registration
Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space 1974 1976
Convention

Agreement Governing the Activities of States on the Moon and Other

Moon Treaty 1979 1984
Celestial Bodies

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
 The Rescue Agreement, the Liability Convention and the Registration Convention all elaborate on provisions
of the Outer Space Treaty.
 Many consider the Moon Treaty to be a failed treaty due to its limited acceptance.

1. Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty:

 The Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT), formally known as the 1963 Treaty Banning Nuclear
Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water, prohibited all test
detonations of nuclear weapons except for those conducted underground.
 It is also abbreviated as the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT) and Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty (NTBT), though the latter may also refer to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban
Treaty (CTBT), which succeeded the PTBT for ratifying parties.

2. Outer Space Treaty:

 Is a multilateral treaty that forms the basis of international space law.
 Negotiated and drafted under the auspices of the United Nations, it was opened for signature
in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union on 27 January 1967,
entering into force on 10 October 1967.
 As of August 2023, 114 countries are parties to the treaty—including all major
spacefaring nations—and another 22 are signatories.
 Provisions –
According to the U.N. Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the core principles of the
treaty are:
 The exploration and use of outer space shall be carried out for the benefit and in the
interests of all countries and shall be the province of all mankind;
 Outer space shall be free for exploration and use by all States;
 Outer space is not subject to national appropriation by claim of sovereignty, by
means of use or occupation, or by any other means;(Article ll)
 Astronauts shall be regarded as the envoys of mankind;
 States shall be responsible for national space activities whether carried out by
governmental or non-governmental entities;
 States shall be liable for damage caused by their space objects; and
 States shall avoid harmful contamination of space and celestial bodies.
 It bars states party to the treaty from placing weapons of mass destruction in Earth
orbit, installing them on the Moon or any other celestial body, or otherwise
stationing them in outer space. It specifically limits the use of the Moon and other
celestial bodies to peaceful purposes, and expressly prohibits their use for testing
weapons of any kind, conducting military maneuvers, or establishing military
bases, installations, and fortifications (Article IV).
 However, the treaty does not prohibit the placement of conventional weapons in
orbit, and thus some highly destructive attack tactics, such as kinetic
bombardment, are still potentially allowable.
 In addition, the treaty explicitly allows the use of military personnel and resources to
support peaceful uses of space, mirroring a common practice permitted by the
Antarctic Treaty regarding that continent.

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
3. Rescue Agreement

 Parties entitled to be rescued.

The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 states simply that astronauts are to be rendered all
possible assistance by state parties to the treaty. The Outer Space Treaty does not
provide a definition for the term "astronaut", and as a result it is unclear whether
this provision applies to, for example, a space tourist—a person who clearly has not
received the training of a traditional astronaut. The Rescue Agreement adds some
clarity to the issue by referring to them as "personnel of a spacecraft" rather than
"astronauts".
 It is an international agreement setting forth rights and obligations of states concerning the
rescue of persons in space.
 Its provisions elaborate on the rescue provisions in Article V of the 1967 Outer Space
Treaty.
 As of January 2022, 98 States have ratified the Rescue Agreement, 23 have signed.
 Basic provisions –
 The Rescue Agreement requires that any state party that becomes aware that the
personnel of a spacecraft are in distress must notify the launching authority and
the Secretary General of the United Nations.
 The Rescue Agreement essentially provides that any state that is a party to the
agreement must provide all possible assistance to rescue the personnel of a
spacecraft who have landed within that state's territory, whether because of an
accident, distress, emergency, or unintended landing.
 If the distress occurs in an area that is beyond the territory of any nation, then any
state party that is in a position to do so shall, if necessary, extend assistance in the
search and rescue operation.

4. Liability Convention
 Is a treaty from 1972 that expands on the liability rules created in the Outer Space Treaty.
 In 1978, the crash of the nuclear-powered Soviet satellite Kosmos 954 in Canadian
territory led to the only claim filed under the convention.
 As of 1 January 2021, 98 States have ratified the Liability Convention, 19 have signed but
not ratified and four international intergovernmental organizations (the European Space
Agency, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, the
Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications, and the European
Telecommunications Satellite Organization) have declared their acceptance of the rights
and obligations provided for in the Agreement.

Key provisions –
 States (countries) bear international responsibility for all space objects that are
launched within their territory. This means that regardless of who launches the space
object, if it was launched from State A's territory, or from State A's facility, or if State A
caused the launch to happen, then State A is fully liable for damages that result from that
space object.
 Claims under the Liability Convention must be brought by the state against a state. This
means that if an individual is injured by a space object and wishes to seek compensation
under the Liability Convention, the individual must arrange for his or her country to make
a claim against the country that launched the space object that caused the damage.

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
 5. Registration Convention
 As of February 2022, it has been ratified by 72 states.
 The convention requires states to furnish to the United Nations with details about the
orbit of each space object.
 The register is kept by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and
includes.
o Name of launching State.
o An appropriate designator of the space object or its registration number.
o Date and territory or location of launch.
o Basic orbital parameters (Nodal period, Inclination, Apogee and Perigee).
o General function of the space object.
 Information on registered objects is available at the UNOOSA site.

6. Moon Treaty
 Is a multilateral treaty that turns jurisdiction of all celestial bodies (including the orbits
around such bodies) over to the participant countries.
 It has not been ratified by any state that engages in self-launched human spaceflight (e.g.
the United States, Russia (or its predecessor the Soviet Union), or the People's Republic
of China) since its creation on December 18, 1979, and thus it has little to no relevancy in
international law.
 As of January 2022, 18 states are parties to the treaty.
 Provisions –
o Bans any military use of celestial bodies, including weapon testing, nuclear weapons
in orbit, or military bases. The use of military personnel for scientific research or
for any other peaceful purposes shall not be prohibited.
o Provides a framework of laws to establish an international cooperation regime,
including appropriate procedures, to govern the responsible exploitation of
natural resources of the Moon. (Article 11.5)
o Bans altering the environmental balance of celestial bodies and requires that states
take measures to prevent accidental contamination of the environments of celestial
bodies, including Earth. (Article 7.1)
o The orderly and safe use of the natural lunar resources with an equitable sharing
by all state parties in the benefits derived from those resources. (Article 11.7)
o The placement of personnel or equipment on or below the surface shall not create
a right of ownership. (Article 11)
o Any areas or regions reported to have a special scientific interest, shall be
designated as international scientific preserves. (Article 7.3)
o Shall promptly inform the United Nations and the public of any phenomena which
could endanger human life or health, as well as of any indication of
extraterrestrial life. (Article 5.3)
o State parties shall ensure that non-governmental entities under their jurisdiction
shall engage in activities on the Moon only under the authority and continuing
supervision of the appropriate state party. (Article 14)
o All parties shall inform the United Nations as well as the public, of their activities
concerned with the exploration and use of the Moon. (Article 5)
o When compared with the Outer Space Treaty, it reiterates most provisions, and adds
two new concepts in order to address the exploitation of natural resources in outer
space:
 to apply the concept of 'common heritage of mankind' to outer space activities,
and
 to have the participating countries produce a regime that lays the appropriate
procedures for orderly mining.
 Multiple conferences produced no consensus on these two items.

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
In 2020 the Artemis Accords were signed, while not mentioning the treaty, they are nevertheless challenging the
treaty. At the time of the signing of the accords U.S. President Donald Trump additionally released an executive order
called "Encouraging International Support for the Recovery and Use of Space Resources." The order emphasizes
that "the United States does not view outer space as a ‘global common” and calls the Moon Agreement "a failed
attempt at constraining free enterprise."
With Australia signing and ratifying both the Moon Treaty as well as the Artemis Accords, there has been a
discussion if they can be harmonized. India has signed that is not a party to the moon treaty either through ratification
or accession.

Note: India is a signatory to all five of these treaties but has ratified only four. India did not ratify Moon agreement.

Q. International civil aviation laws provide all countries complete and exclusive sovereignty over the airspace
above their territory. What do you understand by ‘airspace’? What are the implications of these laws on the
space above this airspace? Discuss the challenges which this poses and suggest ways to contain the threat.
(2014)

Call for a New Treaty for Outer Space

 The United Nations (UN) has recently released a policy brief titled "For All Humanity — The Future of
Outer Space Governance," recommending the development of a new treaty to ensure peace, security, and
the prevention of an arms race in outer space.
 The recommendations come ahead of the upcoming UN Summit of the Future, scheduled for September
2024, in New York. The summit aims to facilitate multilateral solutions and strengthen global governance
to address future challenges.

What are the Key Highlights?

1. Increasing Satellite Launches:
 There has been an exponential increase in satellite launches over the past decade, driven by
both government and private sector participation.
 In 2013, there were 210 new launches, which increased to 600 in 2019 and 1,200 in 2020
and 2,470 in 2022.
 Countries like the United States, China, India, and Japan are leading the way in space
activities, including manned missions, lunar exploration, and resource exploitation.
 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), through its Artemis mission, plans
to land the first woman and the next man on the Moon.
 Minerals on the Moon (has rich deposits of helium 3, which is rare on Earth), asteroids
(abundant deposits of valuable metals, including platinum, nickel and cobalt) and planets can
be attractive for countries.

2. Lack of International Framework:

 There is an absence of an agreed international framework on space resource exploration,
exploitation, and utilization.
 The brief underscores the importance of establishing mechanisms to support the
implementation of space resource activities while addressing issues of jurisdiction, control,
liability, and responsibility for environmental pollution.

3. Coordination and Space Traffic Management:

 The current coordination of space traffic is fragmented, with different national and regional
entities employing varying standards and practices.
 The lack of coordination poses challenges for countries with limited space capacity.

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
 4. Space Debris and Environmental Concerns:
 The proliferation of space debris is identified as a significant issue, with thousands of objects
posing threats to operational spacecraft.
 The UN calls for legal considerations related to jurisdiction, control, liability, and
responsibility for environmental pollution caused by space debris. Technology to remove
space junk is being developed, but the legal aspects require attention.

What are the Recommendations?

1. New Treaty for Peace and Security:
 This treaty would establish international norms, rules, and principles to address emerging
threats and promote responsible space activities.

2. Coordinated Space Situational Awareness:

 Member states are urged to establish an effective framework for coordinating space
situational awareness, space object manoeuvres, and space events. This coordination will
enhance the safety and security of space operations.

3. Space Debris Removal Framework:

 The UN calls for the development of norms and principles for Space Debris removal,
considering both legal and scientific aspects.
 An effective framework for sustainable exploration, exploitation, and utilization of space
resources, particularly on the Moon and other celestial bodies, is recommended.

Kessler Syndrome/Space Junk Concept/Kessler Effect/Collisional Cascading concept:

 Proposed by NASA scientist, Donald J. Kessler in 1978.
 It is a scenario in which the density of objects in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is increasing due to various
collisions among objects and further a cascade of collision generates more and more of space debris.
 Every satellite, space probe and manned mission have the potential to produce a lot of space debris.
 In coming future, they can lead to various problems in human life and will also be a congestion to launch
satellites at proper orbit.

How Many Satellites are in Space?

 As of January, 2024, the satellite tracking website “Orbiting Now” lists 8,377 active satellites in various
Earth orbits. A deeper dive into numbers of satellite that are in space reveals how small satellites have come to
dominate low Earth orbit.
 In the three main categories of Earth orbits, small satellites dominate LEO while large satellites dominate
GEO.
o GEO 12%
o MEO 3%
o LEO 84%
 On an average, one satellite is destroyed each year. Now we have an estimation of six lakh pieces of space
junk ranging from 1 cm to 10 cm in space. We have not yet adopted any procedure to solve this debris
problem from space.

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
India & Space Debris
 As on 1st January, 2022, India has 21 operational satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 28 operational
satellites in Geostationary Orbit.
 India placed 65 rocket bodies in orbit till date from the first launch, of which 42 are still in orbit around
the Earth and 23 have re-entered and burnt up in the Earth’s atmosphere.
 Aiming to develop a method to predict collision from space debris, Indraprastha Institute of Information
Technology, Delhi, has received research funding from the National Super Computing Mission (NSM),
implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (2021).
 The project titled ‘Orbit computation of Resident Space Objects for Space Situational Awareness’ has to
be completed in two years.
 Space debris poses a global threat to the continued use of space-based technologies that support critical
functions like communication, transport, weather and climate monitoring, remote sensing.
 Predicting collision probability from these space objects is crucial from the national security perspective as
well as for the protection of public and private space assets of Indian origin.

Space Debris in Space

 The real amount of space debris is said to be between 500,000 and one million pieces as current sensor
technology cannot detect smaller objects. They all travel at speeds of up to 28,162 kmph fast enough for a
relatively small piece of orbital debris to damage a satellite or a spacecraft.
 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BejM1biN_8k

Space Debris Removal

International Initiatives
1. Clean Space Initiative: It is a program launched in 2012 by the European Space Agency (ESA) that
aims to ensure the sustainability of the space environment for future generations.
2. Clearspace-1: The first mission to remove a piece of space debris from orbit, is planned to be
launched in 2026 by the ESA.
3. The Remove Debris Mission Soon
 This mission was brought by University of Surrey. UK. The target of this mission is to clean
about 7,000 tonnes of active space debris of old satellites and spacecrafts and spent
rocket parts orbiting Earth.
 According to many reports, four methods may be applied for the removal of these space
debris such as net capture, harpoon capture, vision-based navigation, deorbiting process
for release capture and deorbit.
Initiatives for Space Debris Removal by India
1. ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Operations Management (IS4OM): Launched in 2022, it is ISRO's
holistic approach to ensuring the safety of space assets and the continued use of outer space for national
development. It monitors objects that pose collision threats.
2. Project Netra (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis): It is an early warning system launched by
ISRO in space to detect debris and other threats to Indian satellites. It can spot, track, and catalogue objects as
small as 10 cm, up to a range of 3,400 km. To safeguard its space assets from space debris, ISRO had set up
a dedicated Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Control Centre named "Netra" in Bengaluru. Only the US,
Russia and Europe have similar facilities in place to track space objects and share collision warnings.
3. Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres: In order to avoid collisions with other space objects, ISRO performed 21
collision avoidance manoeuvres of Indian operational space assets in 2022.
4. ISRO SSA (Space Situational Awareness) Control Centre: It was established in 2020 to function as a hub
of all space situational awareness activities within India, to ensure safe and sustainable space operations.

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
In April 2023, ISRO for the first time brought down a satellite, Megha Tropiques-1, in a controlled manner
after its end of life.

Problems Faced by Astronauts in Space

 The human body is uniquely designed to survive in Earth’s gravity. In space, there is microgravity
environment, which requires the human body to be adapted accordingly.
 There, astronauts need to float rather than walk in different parts of the spacecraft. This implies that the
weight-bearing bones (those in the lower part of the body-the legs, hips and spine) experience a
significant decrease in load bearing. This reduction leads to bone breakdown, releasing calcium that is
reabsorbed by the body, leaving the bones more brittle and weaker.
 There are fewer loads on the leg muscles and back muscles used for posture, during an extended spaceflight.
Consequently, the muscles can begin to weaken or atrophy, subsequently leading to fall-related injuries and
accidents during exploration missions. Currently, to overcome such issue, there is an exercise programme.
But sooner nutritional interventions designed to reduce the muscle loss may be added as a complement to
the spacecraft missions.
 In space, there is no gravity to distribute the blood and other body fluids to the lower part of the body,
especially the legs. This leads to redistribution of body fluids to the upper part of the body and away from
the lower extremities. Due to this fluid shift, astronauts may experience puffy face and also a feeling of
congestion.
 In microgravity environment, the heart does not have to work hard and over time it gets deconditioned
and decreases in size. Space radiation may affect endothelial cells, the lining of blood vessels, which might
initiate or accelerate coronary heart disease.
 The brain receives and interprets information from numerous sense organs. During their stay in space, the
body of astronauts adapt and hence when they return to Earth, they may experience problems standing up,
stabilising their gaze, walking and turning. These disturbances are more profound with increase in
microgravity exposure. The changes can affect operational activities including approach and landing,
docking, remote manipulation, extra-vehicular activity and post landing normal and emergency exit.
 On top of this, the exploration crews will have to shift their ‘body clocks’ from Earth’s day/ night cycle to
that of their destination. By improving spacecraft lighting, sleep schedules and scheduling of work shift, such
changes can be countered.

Extra Vehicular Activity/ Spacewalk

 Extra-Vehicular Activity (EVA) is the only activity performed ahead of the Earth’s substantial
atmosphere outside the spacecraft by an astronaut or a cosmonaut. The term generally refers to a space- walk
done external to a craft, which is orbiting the Earth. The cosmonauts have also undertaken deep-space Extra
Vehicular Activities for retrieving film canisters from the exterior of the space- craft. In the year 1973, EVA
was used in repairing of the launch damage to sky- lab, which is the US’s first space station.
 EVAs may be either tethered (the astronaut is connected to the spacecraft; oxygen and electrical power can
be supplied through a cable, no propulsion is needed to return to spacecraft) or untethered (here, astronaut are
not connected to shuttle for life support system).
 Russia, US and China have demonstrated the capability to conduct an EVA.
 The first EVA in deep space was made on August 1971 by American Al Worden to retrieve a film and data-
recording canister from the Apollo 15 service module on return trip from the Moon.
 American Bruke McCandless made his first journey with untethered EVA on 7 February 1984 during
Challenger mission STS-41B, using the Manned Maneuvering Unit.
 First woman to perform an EVA was Soviet Svellana Savitskaya, on 25 July 1984 while aboard the Salyut
7 space station. Her EVA lasted 3 hours 35 minutes.

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
 Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,
Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
What are the advantages of privatisation?

 Reduces ISRO’s burden - Private participation will free up ISRO to concentrate on science, research and
development, interplanetary exploration, and strategic launches.

 Commercialisation- Globally, private players in space are increasing due to commercial benefits.

 Increase investment- Due to revised Foreign Direct Investment, it would foster improved technology and
efficiency.

 Cost Competitive - Promoting the private sector will enable the India to remain cost competitive within the
global space market.

 Job creation - This would tap the potential of young entrepreneurs and create more employment
opportunities.

 Indigenization - Indian Space Association supports the government’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar India’ (self-
reliant India) and ‘Make in India’ to become a leader in the global space industry.

 Infrastructure - Agnikul cosmos launched India’s first private launch pad and mission control centre at the
Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

 Global leader- Privatisation would make India a global leader in space sector.

What are the steps taken by India to support private sector in space?

 Demand based Model - In order to enhance utilization and maximize benefits from the space assets, it is
proposed to change the approach from Supply Based Model to Demand Based Model.

 NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) will act as the aggregator of user requirements and obtain commitments. It
will help in transferring technologies developed by ISRO to industries for commercialisation.

 IN-SPACe-Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre is an autonomous body established in
2020 under the Department of Space. It aims to create an eco-system of industry, academia and start-ups
and to attract major share in the global space economy.

 Indian Space Association- It was launched in 2021, to help private players carry out independent space
activities, facilitate services and technology developed by ISRO to be utilised in the private sector.

 Revised FDI guidelines- This would open up huge investment opportunities for the foreign companies. FDI
in space sector is allowed up to 100% in the area of Satellites-Establishment and Operations through
Government route.

 Atal Tinkering Labs- To boost participation of young people and students in the Indian space sector. It is
an initiative of NITI Aayog, in collaboration with ISRO and the Central Board of Secondary Education
(CBSE) as part of the Atal Innovation Mission.

 Indian Space Policy 2023 - The policy formally laid down the regulations of privatizing space missions in
India, and also denoted clear guidelines of operations for NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s
commercial arm ANTRIX and Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe).

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com
What lies ahead?

 Optimal utilisation of space technology will revolutionise the delivery of governance services and enhance
developmental efforts.

 The Indian space sector can potentially inspire the young populace with scientific curiosity and encourage
them to pursue a career in STEM.

 Indian space sector has an opportunity to create a vibrant ecosystem for start-ups and private enterprises.

 Being one of the few spacefaring countries, India is increasingly encouraging private sector participation
through various reforms that are expected to help India achieve a market share of more than 10% in the
global space sector by 2030.

Conclusion:

The privatization of the Indian space sector holds immense potential, attracting investments and fostering innovation.
Despite its potential, challenges like funding and regulatory issues need addressing.

Plot No. 45 & 45A, Harsh Tower-2,

Main Tonk Road,Vasundhara Colony, Jaipur,
9024790143, 9929224312
help@groupdrishti.in, www.drishtiIAS.com