Twenty of India's 22 active satellites are at a higher risk of colliding with space debris and other spacecraft [1].
This vulnerability highlights the growing danger of orbital congestion, where a single collision could trigger a chain reaction of debris that jeopardizes global communication and navigation systems.
Space Minister Jitendra Singh detailed the risks during a Lok Sabha session on Aug. 5, 2024 [2]. He said the risk is driven by the increasing crowding of the region. The affected satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit, which is defined as an altitude below 2,000 km [1].
Of the country's total fleet of 22 operational satellites, 20 are positioned in this high-risk zone [1]. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has monitored the environment as the volume of defunct hardware and active satellites increases, a trend that raises the probability of accidental impacts.
An ISRO spokesperson said most of the agency's operational satellites face the highest risk because they fly in Low Earth Orbit [3].
While the government did not specify the exact number of close-approach warnings received recently, the focus remains on the density of the orbit. The Low Earth Orbit region is critical for Earth observation and weather monitoring, making the stability of these 20 satellites essential for national infrastructure [1].
Singh said the crowding in these orbits is the primary cause for the elevated risk [2]. The Indian government continues to coordinate with international bodies to manage space traffic and mitigate the long-term effects of orbital debris.
“Twenty low Earth orbit satellites are at higher risk of collision due to crowding”
The admission by ISRO and the Indian government underscores the growing phenomenon of 'Kessler Syndrome,' where the density of objects in low Earth orbit leads to a cascade of collisions. As more nations and private companies launch satellite constellations, the available 'safe' corridors in space are shrinking. For India, the high concentration of its fleet in this specific orbital shell means that a single debris event could potentially disable a significant portion of its space-based assets.
