03/04/2019 - Science and Technology

KEY POINTS

Kesseler Syndrome is a scenario in which the density of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) is high enough that collisions between objects could cause a cascade where each collision generates space debris that increases the likelihood of further collisions

Implications

·        The distribution of debris in orbit could render space activities and the use of satellites in specific orbital ranges impractical for many generations.

·        Cascading collision of satellites in orbit would definitely affect life on Earth, by disrupting global communication, limit globalization and undermine military intelligence.

Mission Shakti

·        The satellite, which was one of India’s own, was literally left in pieces — thousands of them. NASA had identified some pieces from the wreck,. Posing a potential threat of collision with ISS.

·        The debris from the destroyed Indian satellite would be typically moving at these speeds. A collision with any other satellite in space could render that satellite dysfunctional, if not destroy it.

·        But it does not pose any special threat to ISS, the additional pieces add to the risk profile of the ISS. Significantly, however, the NASA administrator said the risk to ISS had increased 44%.

·        India had said that since the test was carried out in low-earth orbit at just about 300 km from Earth’s surface, the debris created would decay and fall back on to the earth within weeks.

·        Fragments of the Indian satellite are expected to lose their velocities due to the atmospheric drag and then fall towards Earth under gravity, and likely get burnt away due to air friction.

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) does not have the resources or the capability to track space debris. It depends on NASA for information on debris to adjust the flight paths of its launches and existing assets in space. NASA and European Space Agency have an elaborate network of radars and optical instruments across the globe to monitor and track the movement of space debris.

Kessler syndrome is a situation wherein the density of objects in the Low Earth Orbit grows so high that collisions between two objects could cause a massive cascade, wherein those collisions generate more space debris, which, in turn, increases the likelihood of further collisions.

It's implications:

space debris poses a potential danger to all space vehicles

certain orbits will become unusable over the coming decades

Mission Shakti is India's anti-satellite (A-SAT) weapon programme led by DRDO and ISRO. The A-SAT weapon was launched from DRDO's testing range in Odisha's Balasore. It shot down an out-of-service Indian satellite in low-orbit earth satellite at a height of 300 km from the earth's surface.

Mission Shakti Project of India does not pose a threat to satellites in Low earth orbit as the space debris created will get destroyed or fall back on earth within 45 days.