ISRO seized of the issue of proliferation of large number of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite constellations or Satellite Internet constellations causing accumulation of Space debris and is taking all possible steps for its mitigation and prevention: Dr Jitendra Singh

The proliferation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations represents one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary space governance, and India's proactive stance through ISRO's 'Debris Free Space Mission' marks a significant evolution in the country's space diplomacy and technological sovereignty. The issue gained urgency with the exponential growth of mega-constellations like Starlink, OneWeb, and Project Kuiper, which collectively plan to deploy tens of thousands of satellites in orbital shells between 500-1,200 km altitude. This congestion dramatically increases collision probabilities — a phenomenon known as the Kessler Syndrome, where cascading collisions generate debris fields that render entire orbital regimes unusable for generations. Dr. Jitendra Singh's Rajya Sabha statement in 2024 underscores that while many constellation operators employ autonomous collision avoidance, systemic risks persist from defunct satellites, untrackable micro-debris (1-10 cm), and fragmentation events that can cascade across orbital shells. India's institutional engagement with space debris governance dates back to 1996 when ISRO joined the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC), formed in 1993 as the premier technical body for debris mitigation standards. The IADC's Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (2002, revised 2007) form the bedrock of international best practices, later endorsed by UN-COPUOS in its 2007 Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines and the 2019 Long-Term Sustainability (LTS) Guidelines. India's participation in UN-COPUOS's Scientific and Technical Subcommittee (STSC) Working Groups on LTS and Space Situational Awareness (SSA) reflects its commitment to multilateral norm-building. Domestically, the Indian Space Policy 2023 — a landmark document released after the sector's liberalization — explicitly mandates adherence to internationally recognized debris mitigation guidelines, including end-of-life disposal protocols. This policy operates under the framework of the Space Activities Bill (under legislative consideration) and aligns with Article 51(c) of the Constitution, which directs the state to foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and Article 253, empowering Parliament to implement international agreements. The establishment of IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center) in 2020 as the single-window regulator for non-governmental entities marked a paradigm shift from ISRO's monopoly to a facilitated ecosystem. Its 2024 Norms, Guidelines and Procedures (NGP) operationalize debris mitigation by requiring all Indian space actors — including private players like Skyroot, Agnikul, and Pixxel — to implement post-mission disposal (PMD) measures or ensure rapid natural orbital decay. This regulatory teeth is crucial as India targets a $44 billion space economy by 2033 and 10% global market share. The economic stakes are immense: space debris threatens not just satellites but critical infrastructure — navigation (NavIC), communication, remote sensing, and strategic assets — underpinning sectors from agriculture to defense. Technologically, ISRO's pursuit of Active Debris Removal (ADR) capabilities — demonstrated through on-orbit servicing experiments like the SpaDeX (Space Docking Experiment) mission — positions India among few nations developing indigenous remediation technologies. ADR maturity is essential because passive mitigation alone cannot reverse existing debris populations exceeding 36,500 objects >10 cm and 1 million >1 cm (ESA estimates). The Minister's emphasis on indigenous SSA capacity — including the NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis) project with radars and optical telescopes — reduces reliance on foreign data (primarily US Space Surveillance Network) and enhances strategic autonomy. This aligns with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision in high-tech domains. Looking ahead, India faces a dual imperative: shaping global norms at forums like the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Reducing Space Threats (2022-2023) and the proposed PAROS (Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space) treaty negotiations, while scaling domestic compliance. The 2024 UN Summit of the Future's 'Pact for the Future' includes space sustainability commitments, offering India a platform to lead Global South advocacy for equitable orbital access. Future challenges include regulating anti-satellite (ASAT) tests — India's 2019 Mission Shakti created debris criticized internationally — and managing liability under the 1972 Liability Convention. For aspirants, this topic interconnects science & technology, international relations, governance, and economy — a quintessential UPSC General Studies Paper III theme with Prelims factual depth (IADC, IN-SPACe, UN-COPUOS, SpaDeX, NETRA) and Mains analytical demand (space sustainability as global commons governance).