Space traffic rises: Isro performed record 140 collision-avoidance manoeuvres in 2025
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Context
According to the Indian Space Situational Awareness Report 2025, the executed a record 140 Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres (CAMs) to protect Indian satellites from space debris. This steep rise in orbital adjustments, which consume precious satellite fuel, highlights the escalating threat of space congestion for critical missions like and lunar orbiters.
UPSC Perspectives
Science & Technology
Space is becoming increasingly congested, elevating the importance of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) (the active monitoring of space objects and orbital environment). To prevent catastrophic collisions with debris, space agencies perform Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres (CAM), which involve firing a satellite's thrusters to alter its trajectory. As highlighted by the , these manoeuvres consume precious onboard fuel, directly reducing the operational lifespan of the satellite. Most of these threats occur in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), a highly congested zone used by communication and earth observation satellites like . If debris density crosses a critical threshold, it could trigger the Kessler Syndrome (a theoretical scenario where cascading collisions generate so much debris that orbits become completely unusable). To build indigenous tracking capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign data, India established (Network for space object Tracking and Analysis) to proactively detect and track orbital hazards.
Global Governance
The exponential surge in space traffic exposes a critical gap in global Space Traffic Management (STM) and international law. Currently, the foundational legal framework is the 1967 , which lacks explicit, binding mechanisms for debris removal, traffic regulation, or right-of-way rules. As a result, countries rely heavily on shared tracking data and goodwill; for instance, India received over 1.5 lakh collision alerts from the US-based . This dependency underscores the urgent need for a multilateral regulatory body to establish binding 'rules of the road' for outer space. Furthermore, the rapid deployment of satellite mega-constellations by private space corporations exacerbates this regulatory vacuum. For UPSC aspirants, it is crucial to note the geopolitical necessity of establishing equitable space governance before orbital monopolies and exclusionary practices are cemented by early actors.
Environmental
Earth's orbital space must increasingly be viewed as a finite, shared natural resource that is currently suffering from acute orbital pollution. Space debris, consisting of dead satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from historic anti-satellite (ASAT) tests, poses existential threats to sustainable space exploration. While scientific bodies like the issue debris mitigation guidelines, compliance remains strictly voluntary and unenforceable. Active Debris Removal (ADR) technologies, such as capturing junk with nets, lasers, or robotic arms, are still in their infancy and face complex legal hurdles regarding the ownership and liability of defunct assets. Recognising this escalating environmental threat, India has committed to achieving 'Debris Free Space Missions' by 2030, a vital diplomatic and technological step to ensure the long-term sustainability of the exosphere.