India’s space program has built a reputation for precision, efficiency and steady progress over decades. From launching satellites for other countries to expanding its own navigation and communication systems, the country has become a major player in global space activity. Still, space missions don’t always end cleanly. Some leave behind remnants that continue to orbit the Earth long after their purpose has been fulfilled. A recent statement in Parliament has drawn attention to the issue, with India currently having 129 trackable pieces of space debris in orbit, according to the PIB report. This number may seem modest compared to global figures, but it still highlights growing concerns about sustainability in space operations.
ISRO has revealed 129 junk objects roaming in space
The 129 objects currently tracked are not uniform in nature. Of these, a total of 49 are non-operational satellites. These satellites once played an important role but are now inactive and orbit the Earth either in low Earth orbit or in geostationary orbit. The remaining objects include pieces of the rocket body and debris left after launch.Some of this debris comes from launch vehicles such as the PSLV, GSLV and LVM3. Additionally, there are 33 fragments associated with the PSLV-C3 mission that reportedly broke up in orbit, creating many smaller pieces.
Why is space debris a serious concern?
Space debris refers to any man-made object in orbit that no longer serves any useful function.This includes defunct satellites, discarded rocket stages and even very small fragments such as paint particles. Despite their size, these objects pose a serious threat due to the speed at which they travel. NASA experts say that orbital objects can move at a speed of about 10 kilometers per second.At such high velocities, even a small fragment could damage or destroy an operational satellite. A single collision can also generate thousands of new pieces of debris, increasing the overall risk to the orbit.
What Indian Space Research Organization doing to reduce debris
India has taken steps to address the issue of space debris through policy and technology.According to the PIB report, ISRO had launched the Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM) in 2024. The initiative aims to ensure that Indian space missions do not generate excess debris by the year 2030.To achieve this, satellites are now being designed with the ability to safely deorbit at the end of their operational life. This often involves carrying extra fuel so they can re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up safely rather than remaining in orbit.
How India is tracking and trying to clean up space debris
Preventing future wrecks is only part of the challenge. Existing debris should also be monitored and removed where possible.India has made progress in this field also. The SpaDeX mission in 2025 demonstrated autonomous docking and undocking technology in space. This capability is important for future missions that may involve capturing and removing defunct satellites or debris.Additionally, Project Eye plays an important role in tracking space objects. It serves as a space situational awareness system that monitors debris and provides alerts to avoid potential collisions with active satellites.
