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Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
ISRO averts 10 collisions in space, backs requirement of Space Traffic Management system
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2024 successfully averted 10 potential collisions involving its satellites. As per the Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) released by the space agency, collision avoidance manoeuvres (CAM) were carried out to avoid damages. The space agency also flagged the increase in space activity across the globe and highlighted the need for an active Space Traffic Management (STM) system. 'The sheer number of close approach alerts indicates the alarmingly rising congestion in space, especially low-Earth orbit,' ISRO said in its report, adding that with the easier access to space through rideshare, coupled with technological advancements, the future space traffic is not likely to show any signs of slowing down. The agency added that spaceflight safety in the future is expected to involve more intensive coordination and cooperation between various spacefaring entities. 'It is desirable that a suitable collaborative framework evolves for meeting STM requirements,' ISRO said. The space agency received more than 53000 alerts by the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), the US–led multinational space operations center for its satellites, which were analysed using data from flight dynamics resulting in 10 anomalies. ISRO carried out six critical manoeuvres in LEO and four in GEO. For Chandrayaan-2 an orbit maintenance manoeuvre was also conducted to mitigate conjunctions with Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, a NASA mission launched in 2009. Currently, India has 22 satellites in LEO (Low Earth Orbit) and 31 in GEO (Geo-synchronous Earth Orbit), which are important to protect. In 2024 India undertook five launches from Sriharikota and all of them were successfully placed in their intended orbits. ISRO said the number of CAMs was lesser in 2024 compared to the previous year. 'This is because improved close approach analysis methodology with larger conjunction screening volume and usage of more accurate ephemerides helped to meet collision avoidance requirements by adjusting orbit maintenance manoeuvres on several occasions and avoiding exclusive CAMs.' The space agency said post the corrections, 89 manoeuvre plans were revised to avoid post-manoeuvre close approaches with other space objects for LEO satellites.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Isro saved satellites from potential collision 10 times in 2024
Photo/Agencies NEW DELHI: Isro successfully performed 10 Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres (CAMs) in 2024 to protect its satellites from potential collision with other objects in space, according to the newly released Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2024. The space agency performs Space Situational Awareness (SSA) activities to protect national space assets from space environmental hazards, such as resident space objects, including space debris, natural objects like asteroids and meteoroids, energy and particle flux. Last year, 89 manoeuvre plans were revised to avoid post-manoeuvre close approaches with other space objects for low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. On two occasions, manoeuvre plans had to be revised to avoid post-manoeuvre conjunctions for Geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites, it said. Overall, Isro has carried out 122 CAMs for its earth-orbiting satellites in the last 14 years. The agency said more than 53,000 alerts issued by Combined Space Operations Center of US Space Command for Isro's earth-orbiting satellites were analysed using more accurate orbital data from flight dynamics. Data shows that between 2010 and 2024, 122 CAMs were conducted and a maximum 23 were carried out between 2022 and 2023. Between 2023 and 2024, there were 10 CAMs. 'The number of CAMs was less in 2024 compared to the previous year. This is because improved close approach analysis methodology with larger conjunction screening volume and usage of more accurate ephemerides helped to meet collision avoidance requirements by adjusting orbit maintenance manoeuvres on several occasions and avoiding exclusive CAMs,' Isro explained. About the return of satellites once they complete their mission, Isro said a total of 31 Indian satellites had re-entered the atmosphere till the end of 2024. In 2024 alone, nine Indian satellites did so. Among them was Cartosat-2, which re-entered the atmosphere on Feb 14, 2024, being Isro's first-ever LEO to be deorbited at end-of-life to reduce its post-mission orbital life from more than 30 years to less than four years. A total of 136 Indian spacecraft, including those from private operators and academic institutions, were launched in Earth-orbit till Dec 31, 2024. The number of operational satellites owned by India stood at 22 in lower earth orbit (LEO) and 31 in geo-synchronous earth orbit (GEO) by 2024 end. In addition, two Indian deep space missions, Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter and Aditya-L1 at Sun-Earth Lagrange's point, were active. Isro said 34 rocket bodies re-entered the Earth's atmosphere till 2024 end, and five of such re-entries took place in 2024.
