ISRO set to advance capabilities in Space debris management through innovative technology

By R Anil Kumar

Bengaluru, October 28. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is set to advance its capabilities in Space debris management and Satellite servicing through innovative technologies, particularly focusing on the use of robotic arms to capture satellites in orbit. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at achieving “zero debris”goal by 2030.

The objective is to test low-impact cooperative docking technology, which will facilitate communication between satellites After docking, a propulsive device will be attached to deorbit Satellites safely, reducing Space debris.

This mission will employ a tethered capture method using a robotic arm.This arm will grab a moving Satellite, demonstrating on-orbit servicing capabilities.The mission aims to extend operational life of Satellites, perform repairs and relocate or deorbit defunct satellites.

The development of these technologies presents several challenges: Accurately capturing small debris is difficult due to their high speeds and unpredictable orbits. Deploying and controlling the tether requires precise engineering to avoid instability, such as snags and vibrations. Effectively deorbiting captured debris poses significant challenges, especially given the variety of objects in orbit.

As the number of Satellites and debris in Low Earth Orbit increases-currently estimated at over 40 thousand pieces – ISRO’S initiatives are crucial for ensuring safe operations in Space. ISRO ‘s commitment to developing these technologies reflects a proactive approach to managing space traffic and reducing collision risks.

Tethered Space Debris Capture: This is a proposed  method for removing  Space debris using long, strong Tether attached to a satellite.

The tether is deployed to capture a piece of debris, and then the combined mass of the satellite and debris is deorbited, causing both to burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere according Scientists from ISRO.

In one aspect of its mission, the ISRO servicer mission will operate on the PS4 critical platform several onorbit operations while tethered to it.

Recently, ISRO has published  two patents related to Spacecraft capturing mechanisms for on-orbit satellite servicing.

Space Debris Threat: Space debris includes everything from inactive Satellites to errant fragments of broken equipments. Around 18, 897 of trackable Space junk Orbit Earth.

India Aims for “zero debris” in Space, by 2030: India aims to achieve Space mission with “Zero debris”,  by 2030, with its Debris Free Space Missions (DFSM) initiative. Starting in 2025 all Indian Space Missions, whether from government or private, will adopt a zero debris approach.

Earlier, this year, ISRO successfully re-entered a sent rocket from the XPOSAT mission, which fell in the pacific ocean. ISRO also the lowered the orbit of PSLV 37’s spent upper stage, ensuring that it re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on October 6.

The Space Agency, ISRO is now exploring mid-orbit debris capture technology, advancing India’s Sustainable Space exploration.