The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is building up its orbital debris tracking capability by deploying new radars and optical telescopes under the Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) project.
- Under the project, a space debris tracking radar with a range of 1,500 km and an optical telescope will be inducted as part of establishing an effective surveillance and tracking network under NETRA.
- The radar will be capable of detecting and tracking objects 10 cm and above in size, he said. It will be indigenously designed and built.
- Radars and optical telescopes are vital ground-based facilities for keeping an eye on space objects, including orbital junk.
- ISRO plans to have two such radars deployed 1,000 km apart for spatial diversity.
- At present, India has a Multi Object Tracking Radar at Sriharikota range, but it has a limited range.
What is space junk?
- Space junk or debris consists of spent rocket stages, dead satellites, fragments of space objects and debris resulting from ASAT.
- Hurtling at an average speed of 27,000 kmph in LEO, these objects pose a very real threat as collisions involving even centimetre-sized fragments can be lethal to satellites.
About Project NETRA
- ‘Project NETRA’ is an early warning system in space to detect debris and other hazards to Indian satellites.
- The project estimated to cost Rs 400 crore, when in place, will give India its own capability in space situational awareness (SSA) like the other space powers.
- Space Situational Awareness (SSA) refers to keeping track of objects in orbit and predicting where they will be at any given time.
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