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ISRO rocket debris in Australia: rules governing space junk

ISRO rocket debris in Australia: rules governing space junk

  • 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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