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OPINION MAY 10, 2024 | The Indian Eye 12

responsible space activities. Based To effectively monitor and mitigate
on advanced space situational aware- risks arising from space debris, In-
ness capabilities, IS4OM reflects In- dia must invest more in advanced
dia’s efforts to enhance its knowledge technologies for surveillance aware-
about space and protect its satellites ness of situations in outer space,
and other celestial bodies that could like tracking satellites or debris. By
be affected by them. In addition, this improving its ability to survey outer
implementation points out that there space, India can offer valuable data
should be international cooperation to the international community.
among states when dealing with dif- Secondly, India should focus
ferent sides of the problem, such as more on capacity building and in-
prevention or cure for orbital junk, formation exchange initiatives to
thus leading towards sustainable de- support developing countries in
velopment and a safe environment building their space capabilities and
within which outer-space activities propagating responsible space usage.
can continue for many years. Using its knowledge and resources,
Project NETRA is the first Indi- India can fill this gap in technology
an effort to create a timely warning and promote international coopera-
system for space debris and related tion on space governance.
dangers its satellites face in space. Thirdly, India must be diplo-
The project shows that India wants matically active in encouraging rec-
to be ready for any threats against ognition of international guidelines
its activities in space, which are be- for responsible behavior in space.
coming more crowded and contested India can further strengthen its position as an eminent player in the global space arena by These binding agreements may be
each year. Such initiatives will help introducing several strategic measures (File photo: Isro) developed and adopted by India at
strengthen India’s own space capabil- meetings such as those held within
ities and support worldwide attempts COPUOS – a parent organization
at improving knowledge about what INDIA’S COLLABORATION IN Additionally, India places im- essentially controlling the peaceful
is happening in space and encourag- DEBRIS MANAGEMENT portance on building capacity use of outer space so that responsible
ing responsible behavior among all through training and workshops. For behavior is incentivized through reg-
nations using it. he way India involves itself instance, the European Space Agen- ulations on debris and other forms of
MANASTU SPACE with other countries in manag- cy provided Indian Space Research waste that endanger long-term sus-
Ting space junk is very complex tainability.
ithin the ever-growing and well thought out, for instance, by Organization officials with four days Moreover, India should also
of training on space debris, while
field of space technology, joining the Inter-agency Space Debris look for the chance to collaborate
WManastu Space is an Indi- Coordination Committee (IADC). a two-day joint workshop between with countries on the same line of
an start-up taking on new challenges India participates in all the working ISRO and the French National Cen- thinking and space agencies to jointly
tre for Space Studies focused on
in orbital debris removal. groups and steering committees, thus Space Situational Awareness (SSA). devise strategies to manage space de-
This start-up is currently leading ensuring active participation global- bris. Through building relationships
the way with its development of state- ly in shaping strategies and policies These efforts highlight India’s active around mutual interests and shared
strategy towards dealing with space
of-the-art technology for de-orbiting on space debris. It also contributes debris problems via international co- objectives, India can make a more
satellites, extending their lifespan in to re-entry prediction campaigns, in- operation, knowledge sharing, and significant difference in the world’s
orbit, and refueling them while they creasing the capability to forecast and capacity-building improvement. space governance regime and con-
are there, among other things. By manage tracks of space junk. Apart tribute towards creating a rule-based
going where no man has gone before from IADC, other forums deal with THE WAY FORWARD order in outer space.
and finding new ways to solve old this matter, such as International Or-
problems concerning space junk and ganization of Standards (ISO) Work- ajor powers have been CONCLUSION
satellite sustainability, this start-up ing Group-7 and the International criticized for contributing ndia’s initiative to achieve de-
represents India’s determination to Academy of Astronautics (IAA) Mto the problem of space bris-free space missions by 2030
promote self-reliance in space tech- Working Group on Space Debris and debris by engaging in reckless space Idemonstrates its commitment to
nology invention. Space Traffic Management (STM) activities, unlike India, which is pro- responsible behavior in space and
This move demonstrates India’s initiatives, where collaboration hap- active. The history of China’s delib-
capabilities in science and shows pens with India. erate destruction of satellites and an- leadership in dealing with the urgent
problem of space junk. By taking the
how serious it is about becoming India has committed to working ti-satellite missile testing has created proactive steps mentioned above to
independent when working beyond with other nations by cooperating a lot of space debris that threatens mitigate the risks posed by space de-
the earth’s atmosphere comes into with well-known space agencies, such manned and uncrewed missions. Un- bris, India can further strengthen its
play. Through investing strategical- as DLR, JAXA, NASA, ESA, and like nations where military interests position as a responsible country in-
ly at home with companies such as CNES. These collaborations enable dominate their space policies, India’s volved in outer-space activities that
Manastu Space, India hopes to tap them to collaborate on space debris move becomes a model for respon- create a safe, secure, and sustain-
into the game-changing social bene- mitigation and remediation, includ- sible behavior in outer space and its able environment for subsequent
fits that could be brought about using ing the shared hosting of facilities focus on the use of space for develop- generations and enhance its role as
space technologies and position itself for observing space junk. Moreover, mental activities. a substantial contributor to space
as a leader within this sector world- India employs collaboration through India can further strengthen its governance.
wide. Success of private companies purchasing or sharing space object position as an eminent player in the
like Manastu Space is also reflective tracking data from national and pri- global space arena by introducing This article first appeared
of the vibrancy of the Indian start- vate Space Situational Awareness several strategic measures that will on the website (www.icwa.in) of Indian
up ecosystem, including in the space (SSA) agencies, improving the accu- enable it to improve its capabilities Council of World Affairs, New Delhi,
sector. racy of conjunction analysis. and influence over space governance. on May 2, 2024

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