ISRO Rocket Debris on Australian Shore

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• ISRO’s stand
• Previous instances of Junk from space objects falling to the earth
• Associated dangers
• Regulatory framework

Why in news?

• A large object found on the shores of western Australia a couple of weeks ago has been confirmed to be the debris of an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) rocket.
• ISRO has agreed with the assessment, saying the debris could be from one of its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rockets.

ISRO’s stand

• As per ISRO, the object was most likely an unburnt part of the PSLV rocket that launched a navigation satellite for the IRNSS constellation two months ago.
  • That satellite was launched in the southward direction. 
  • It is possible that one of the parts of the rocket did not burn completely while dropping back into the atmosphere, and fell into the ocean. 
  • It could later have been swept towards the Australian shore.
• ISRO is still to decide on the future course of action.

Previous instances of Junk from space objects falling to the earth

• Junk from space objects falling to the earth are not unheard of. 
• Most such incidents involve relatively small fragments from rockets that survive the friction of the atmosphere.
• Most recently, in November 2022, large fragments of China’s Long March 5B rocket plunged uncontrolled into the south-central Pacific Ocean.
  • These fragments were stages of the rocket used to deliver the third and final module of the Tiangong space station.
• In May 2021, a large chunk of a 25-tonne Chinese rocket fell into the Indian Ocean.

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Associated dangers

• The threat to life and property from falling space junk is not negligible. 
• Even when falling into the oceans, which is more likely since 70 per cent of the earth’s surface is ocean, large objects can be a threat to marine life, and a source of pollution.
• However, there are no recorded incidents of these falling objects causing any appreciable damage anywhere on the earth. 
• When they have dropped over land, so far, it has been over uninhabited areas.
• However, what is worrying is the fact that these junks did not by design have a system to ensure it fell in a designated place on Earth.

Regulatory framework

• Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects
  • Most space-faring countries are signatories to the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects.
  • The Liability Convention deals mainly with damage caused by space objects to other space assets, but it also applies to damage caused by falling objects on earth.
  • The Convention makes the launching country absolutely liable to pay compensation for any damage caused by its space object on the earth or to a flight in air. 
  • The country where the junk falls can stake a claim for compensation if it has been damaged by the falling object.
  • The amount of compensation is to be decided “in accordance with international law and the principles of justice and equity”.
• The Outer Space Treaty
  • It was adopted by the United Nations in 1967. 
  • It primarily addresses the peaceful use of outer space and prohibits the placement of nuclear weapons in space.
  • It also contains provisions related to space debris and the return of space objects to Earth.
  • Provisions related to Space Debris and Earth’s Safety in the Outer Space Treaty:
  • Benefit for All Humanity
    • Space activities are meant to be for the good of everyone, which includes avoiding harm caused by space debris falling back to Earth.
  • Preventing Harmful Contamination 
    • Countries must study outer space carefully and explore it responsibly to prevent any harmful pollution or changes to our planet.
  • Avoiding Harm to Celestial Bodies 
    • States are obligated to avoid damaging not only space but also other celestial bodies like the Moon.
  • Responsibility for Space Objects 
    • The country that launches a space object from Earth is responsible for it and must ensure its safe return or proper disposal.
  • Consultation for Safety 
    • If one country believes that another country’s space activities could cause problems, they can talk about it to find a solution. This could include concerns about space debris falling back to Earth.
• Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)
  • While the Outer Space Treaty establishes important principles, it lacks specific regulations and mechanisms for dealing with space debris directly. 
  • Since the treaty was adopted in 1967, other international agreements and guidelines have been developed to address space debris mitigation and the safe disposal of space objects.
  • This includes the nonbinding Debris Mitigation Guidelines (drafted in 2007).

Q1) What is United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS)?

The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) is a UN body that deals with international cooperation in space activities..

Q2) What are Debris Mitigation Guidelines??

Debris Mitigation Guidelines, also known as Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, are a set of internationally agreed-upon principles and practices aimed at reducing the generation of space debris and minimizing the long-term environmental impact of human activities in space. These guidelines were developed by various space agencies and organizations to address the growing concern over space debris, which poses a significant threat to both operational spacecraft and future space missions.

Source: ISRO rocket debris on Australian shore: rules governing space junk | UN Office for Outer Space Affairs