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.

 

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).

 

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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.

 

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