SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND SPACE DEBRIS ACTIVITIES IN INDIA

Transcription

1 SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AND SPACE DEBRIS ACTIVITIES IN INDIA P Soma, Adjunct Faculty, NIAS

2 Agenda The Growth of Space Objects since 1957 Space Situational Awareness India s Space Assets and SSA Space Debris and Threat to Spacecraft Space Debris Mitigation Measures by India Conclusion

3 Space Objects: Growth since1957 Source: NASA Orbital Debris Program Office

4 Space is Crowded & Congested Source: NASA Orbital Debris Program Office

5 What is in Space Today Currently ~ 1000 operational satellites. 3 areas of space contain >96% of operational satellites; Low earth orbit (LEO): km altitude. Medium earth orbit(meo): 20,000 km altitude. Geosynchronous (GEO):36,000 km altitude Operational Satellites 470 LEO MEO GEO Others

6 Space Situational Awareness As earth orbit gets more congested, the need to track and get information about activities in space is critical. To predict and prevent collision between space objects Predicting atmospheric reentry of space objects Monitoring behavior of spacecraft Detecting threats and attacks on spacecraft. SSA is characterizing the space environment and its effect on activities in space. It includes monitoring space weather and NEO. SSA involves tracking and monitoring of orbiting space objects such as satellites and debris using ground based radars and optical sensors.

7 Space Surveillance Capabilities US Space Surveillance Network (SSN) is the principal system that detects, tracks and identifies objects orbiting earth. SSN is a global network of ground based radars and optical sensors. SSN publishes Space Catalog data to general users. It also provides decay, reentry data and collision analysis results. Russia operates second most capable network called Space Surveillance System (SSS). International Scientific Optical Network (ISON) provides global coverage, also maintained by Russia. ESA, China and Japan have fledgling independent SSA programs.

8 INDIAN SPACE ENDEAVOUR There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the Moon or the planets or manned spaceflight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the comity of nations, we must be second to none in the applications of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society NAVIGATION MOON AND INTER PLANETARY EXPLORATION IRS LAUNCHER APPLICATIONS LEADERSHIP LARGE USER BASE INSAT HUMAN RESOURCES EXPERTISE strong INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION VIKRAM A. SARABHAI INDUSTRY SPACE COMMERCE SPACE ASSETS Remote sensing & Telecom satellite Constellations INFRASTRUCTURE End-to-end capability STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY Slide - 3

9 SSA and India India operates Independent Tracking Networks in C-Band (for GEO missions) and S-Band (for LEO and Launch vehicle tracking). Deep Space Network (DSN) tracks interplanetary missions. Accurate orbital position of Indian Satellites are determined on a regular basis. India uses public domain sources for Space Debris and Non Indian Resident Space Objects.

10 Space Debris Orbital debris is any human made object in orbit that no longer serves a useful purpose, including discarded equipment, abandoned satellites, bolts and other hardware released during satellite deployment and particles from explosions and/or collisions. Space debris is a threat to Space assets as it can damage spacecraft and disrupt services. IRS space crafts at LEO are highly vulnerable. Space debris is increasing. leading to Space Pollution.

11 Space Debris Activity-India India recognizes current space debris risks and has taken a number of steps towards its mitigation in the design and operational phases of Launch vehicle and Spacecraft programs. They are : Upper Stage Passivation Collision Avoidance Analysis Space Object Reentry Estimation Space debris Modeling Long Term Evolution of Space Debris Graveyard Orbits for GEO satellites

12 Space Debris Mitigation Source: ISRO

13 Collision Avoidance:Launch Source: ISRO

14 Collision Avoidance:Spacecrafts Source: ISRO

15 Re-entry Support Source: ISRO

16 Disposal of Indian Geosynchronous Satellites Six INSAT/GSAT satellites were moved to Graveyard orbits after completing their mission lives. This is compliant to UN recommendations. Satellite Name Launch date Apogee(Km) Perigee(Km) Inclination( 0 ) INSAT-2R 26-Feb INSAT- 2C 06-Dec INSAT- 2E 02-Apr INSAT- 3B 21-Mar GSAT 2 08-May GSAT 3 20-Sep

17 India and IADC India has contributed significantly as an active member in the formulation of the IADC Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines, which eventually led to the adoption of UN COPUOS Space Debris Mitigation guidelines in 2007,endorsed by UNGA resolution 62/217 on 21 Dec 2007.

18 Conclusion India keeps track of her Space assets using dedicated ground infrastructure, accurately. India uses public domain data to keep track of Space Debris and non Indian Resident Space Objects. Indian SSA capabilities are evolving rapidly. India recognizes current space debris risks and has taken a number of steps towards its mitigation. India strongly supports and actively contributes towards evolving guidelines for long term sustainable use of Space.

19 COSPAR 2012 THANK YOU