Published: 31 March 2026Indian ExpressScience & Technology
Space Debris Crisis: Growing Orbital Management Challenges
The growing crisis of space debris has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges in orbital management, with over 36,000 trackable objects larger than 10 cm orbiting Earth, alongside millions of smaller fragments. The proliferation of mega-constellations by companies like SpaceX and OneWeb has accelerated concerns about orbital congestion and the potential for cascading collisions known as Kessler Syndrome.
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967 established basic principles of space governance including peaceful use and state responsibility, but lacks specific provisions for debris mitigation or satellite end-of-life management. Critically, there is no international verification mechanism for de-orbiting claims made by satellite operators, creating an accountability gap.
India''s ISRO has been proactive in debris tracking through its Space Situational Awareness (SSA) control centre. The agency performed over 21 collision avoidance maneuvers in 2025. The UN Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) has issued voluntary guidelines, but experts argue that binding international regulations are urgently needed to prevent irreversible contamination of critical orbital regions.
0Mains angle
Q: Analyse the challenges posed by the growing space-debris crisis and the limitations of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, highlighting ISRO's response and the need for binding international debris-mitigation regulations.
Answer (50 words):
Space debris now comprises over 50,000 objects above 10 cm, with Kessler-cascade risks rising due to SpaceX and OneWeb mega-constellations. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty lacks debris or de-orbit verification provisions. ISRO reported 18 Earth-orbiting collision-avoidance manoeuvres in 2025 plus 2 planetary manoeuvre-plan revisions; COPUOS guidelines remain voluntary, demanding binding global rules urgently.
6-axis classification
CoverageInternationalSubjectScience & TechnologyExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · BothSourceIndian Express
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Linked questionMedium
The Outer Space Treaty was signed in which year?
Explanation · Correct answer BThe Outer Space Treaty was signed in 1967 and established basic principles of space governance including peaceful use and state responsibility for space activities.
