India has announced its commitment to Zero Debris or Debris-Free Space Missions (DFSM) by 2030, a pioneering initiative revealed by Shri Somanath S., Chairman of ISRO and Secretary of DOS, during the 42nd Annual Meet of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) held in Bengaluru on April 16, 2024. The initiative encompasses all Indian space entities, both governmental and non-governmental, and extends an invitation to global space actors to adopt similar practices for the sustainable use of outer space.
The DFSM initiative is designed to prevent debris generation across all phases of satellite and launch vehicle operations, including operational life and post-mission disposal. It emphasizes the avoidance of on-orbit collisions and break-ups through comprehensive failure mode studies, the integration of redundant systems, and the implementation of highly reliable mission designs. Moreover, the initiative prohibits intentional break-ups resulting in long-lived debris and mandates a post-mission disposal success rate of over 99%, ensuring controlled re-entry or de-orbiting to lower orbits with less than five years of remaining orbital life.
India’s strategy includes meticulous planning for launch vehicle and spacecraft missions starting from 2025. This will involve selecting safe orbital slots to minimize collision risks, budgeting fuel for post-mission disposals, and planning mission trajectories that include necessary controlled re-entry or de-orbiting while maintaining reliability. The annual progress of the DFSM will be monitored, with the ISRO system for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM) serving as the central entity in implementing these stringent guidelines.
This initiative not only aims to ensure the long-term sustainability of space activities but also positions India as a leader in advocating for the safety, security, and sustainability of space operations. The overarching goal resonates with the theme “Join Together for a Safe, Secured and Sustainable Space, Preserve the Common Heritage of Humankind for Future Generations, Space for all & for all generations,” supporting global efforts toward maintaining the outer space environment.