| Debris-Free Space Mission Initiative ISRO has launched the Debris-Free Space Mission (DFSM) initiative to ensure all Indian space missions are debris-free by 2030, aiming to enhance the long-term sustainability of outer space. Starting in 2025, DFSM will focus on mission design, fuel budgeting, and annual progress tracking, with ISRO’s IS4OM leading the effort. The initiative aligns with global goals for safe and sustainable space activities. Key Objectives: Minimize Debris Prevent Collision Post-Mission Disposal (PMD) Human Spaceflight Safety Trackability & Manoeuvrability International Collaboration |
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that the upper stage of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) C-37 mission re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere.
- The PSLV-C37 mission launched in 2017 created History as it carried Cartosat-2D as its main payload, along with 103 other satellites like INS-1A, INS-1B, and 88 Flock-3p satellites.
- After the satellites were deployed, the upper stage (PS4) was left in orbit at around 480 km altitude.
- Due to atmospheric drag, its orbit gradually decayed and re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere occurred as predicted by both ISRO and the U.S. Space Command.
- The re-entry was in full compliance with international space debris mitigation guidelines, specifically those of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), which limit the post-mission orbital life of defunct objects in low-Earth orbit to 25 years.
| The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space and assisting developing countries in using space science and technology. Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space: Limit debris released during normal operations. Minimize the potential for break-ups during operational phases. Limit the probability of accidental collision in orbit. Avoid intentional destruction and other harmful activities. Minimize the potential for post-mission break-ups resulting from stored energy. Limit the long-term presence of spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages in the low-Earth orbit (LEO) region after the end of their mission. Limit the long-term interference of spacecraft and launch vehicle orbital stages with the geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) region after the end of their mission. |
Dig Deeper: Read about the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee and ISRO’s IS4OM.
