The ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM) was created in recognition of the growing significance of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) for space sustainability. Its purpose is to concentrate all efforts on spaceflight safety and debris mitigation, as well as to address the new challenges of operating in a crowded space environment.
The GOI has approved the Network for Space object TRacking and Analysis (NETRA) for SSA capacity enhancement.
To the greatest extent feasible, ISRO complies with the globally recognized space debris mitigation recommendations suggested by the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) and UN-COPOUS.
Collision Avoidance Analysis (COLA) is used to choose the lift-off time during the launch window that poses the least risk of collision for all Indian launch vehicles. Any close approach risk to ISRO’s operating satellites is continuously assessed, and collision avoidance maneuvers (CAM) are carried out as necessary.
The necessary coordination is done with the owner/operator to ensure that only one satellite performs the CAM if the object posing a close approach risk is another active satellite. In addition to modeling on-orbit break-up events and predicting atmospheric re-entries of space objects, etc., ongoing efforts are made to enhance the operational procedures for close approach evaluation in order to respond to the problems presented by the surge in space traffic.
ISRO has a significant role in creating the relevant regulations and
SSA capacity expansion and space debris reduction requirements are given top priority in the Indian Space Policy.
ISRO is also leading the recently announced Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM) project, which aims to have all Indian space actors—both governmental and non-governmental—complete debris-free space missions by 2030. The program supports international efforts to promote space sustainability and establishes India as a country that places a high priority on sustainability, safety, and security in space operations.
