Space Debris Crashed in Kenya

Context

A 500-kg metal object, believed to be space particles, crashed in Kenya, highlighting concerns about responsibility and regulatory gaps in space governance.

About Space Debris

• It consists of non-purposeful satellites, abandoned rocket stages, and smaller fragments from preceding space missions.
• The UN Committee at the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS) defines space debris as all man-made objects, along with fragments and factors thereof, in Earth orbit or re-getting into the ecosystem, which are non-purposeful.
• According to NASA, thousands and thousands of portions of particles orbit the Earth, starting from tiny paint flecks to large satellite remnants.

Examples

• 2022: Chinese Long March 5B rocket fell into the Indian Ocean, sparking concerns about uncontrolled re-entry.
• 2023: Parts of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket had been found on a sheep farm in Australia.
• February 2024: Debris from a Russian satellite disintegrated over the US, alarming residents.

International Laws on Space Debris Responsibility

• United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA):

• • Outer Space Treaty (1967): It does not specially deal with space particles, it emphasizes that nations are responsible for activities conducted in outer space, including via private entities under their jurisdiction.
    • Article VI of the treaty emphasizes that states endure obligation for his or her space objects.
  • Liability Convention (1972): It introduces the idea of ‘absolute legal responsibility’ for damage because of space items on Earth.
    • Under this framework, launching states are routinely liable for any damage resulting from their debris, without the need to show negligence.

India’s Initiatives in Space Debris Management

• ISRO adheres to the world over customary space debris mitigation suggestions endorsed by the UN-COPUOS and the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC).
• ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM): To cognizance of spaceflight protection and particle mitigation. 
• Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA): For Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capacity building.
• Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM) Initiative (2024) by ISRO: It aims to acquire debris-unfastened space missions through all Indian space actors, both governmental and private, by 2030. The initiative specializes in:
  • Avoiding Debris Generation;
  • Collision Avoidance;
  • Post-Mission Disposal;

Challenges in Holding Countries Accountable

• Difficulty in Tracing Ownership: Identifying the precise foundation of debris is hard, in particular for small fragments.
• Bureaucratic and Political Hurdles: Diplomatic approaches for compensation can be slow and politically sensitive.
• No Penalties for Uncontrolled Re-entry: While the Liability Convention requires nations to pay for damages, it does not penalize them for allowing out of control re-entries to happen.

Mitigation and Future Solutions

• International Cooperation: Strengthening global cooperation like the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNCOPUOS) and developing standardized tactics for debris removal can enhance responsibility and enforcement.
• Mandatory End-of-Life Plans: Space missions should encompass clear deorbiting techniques to reduce particle risks.
• Technological Innovations: Investing in technology for lively debris removal, along with the ADRAS-J project by means of Astroscale, can assist mitigate the risks posed by space junk.
• Liability Insurance: Countries and private companies could be required to have insurance guidelines protecting potential damage from space debris.
• National Regulations: Implementing and implementing national regulations that align with global treaties can make sure that nations take responsibility for their space activities.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Mains Practice Question

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)

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