Isro saved satellites from potential collision 10 times in 2024
Photo/Agencies
NEW DELHI: Isro successfully performed 10 Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres (CAMs) in 2024 to protect its satellites from potential collision with other objects in space, according to the newly released
Indian Space Situational Assessment Report
(ISSAR) for 2024.
The space agency performs Space Situational Awareness (SSA) activities to protect national space assets from space environmental hazards, such as resident space objects, including space debris, natural objects like asteroids and meteoroids, energy and particle flux.
Last year, 89 manoeuvre plans were revised to avoid post-manoeuvre close approaches with other space objects for low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. On two occasions, manoeuvre plans had to be revised to avoid post-manoeuvre conjunctions for Geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites, it said.
Overall, Isro has carried out 122 CAMs for its earth-orbiting satellites in the last 14 years. The agency said more than 53,000 alerts issued by Combined Space Operations Center of US Space Command for Isro's earth-orbiting satellites were analysed using more accurate orbital data from flight dynamics.
Data shows that between 2010 and 2024, 122 CAMs were conducted and a maximum 23 were carried out between 2022 and 2023. Between 2023 and 2024, there were 10 CAMs.
'The number of CAMs was less in 2024 compared to the previous year. This is because improved close approach analysis methodology with larger conjunction screening volume and usage of more accurate ephemerides helped to meet collision avoidance requirements by adjusting orbit maintenance manoeuvres on several occasions and avoiding exclusive CAMs,' Isro explained.
About the return of satellites once they complete their mission, Isro said a total of 31 Indian satellites had re-entered the atmosphere till the end of 2024. In 2024 alone, nine Indian satellites did so. Among them was Cartosat-2, which re-entered the atmosphere on Feb 14, 2024, being Isro's first-ever LEO to be deorbited at end-of-life to reduce its post-mission orbital life from more than 30 years to less than four years.
A total of 136 Indian spacecraft, including those from private operators and academic institutions, were launched in Earth-orbit till Dec 31, 2024. The number of operational satellites owned by India stood at 22 in lower earth orbit (LEO) and 31 in geo-synchronous earth orbit (GEO) by 2024 end.
In addition, two Indian deep space missions, Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter and Aditya-L1 at Sun-Earth Lagrange's point, were active. Isro said 34 rocket bodies re-entered the Earth's atmosphere till 2024 end, and five of such re-entries took place in 2024.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Secondary pollutants a serious health risk'
Kolkata: A new study by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) revealed that nearly one-third of Kolkata's PM2.5 pollution is caused by secondary pollutants — invisible particles formed through chemical reactions between gases like sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and ammonia (NH₃). Yet, these critical contributors remain largely overlooked by India's National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which continues to focus on direct particulate emissions. Secondary pollutants pose serious health risks, penetrating deep into lungs and entering the bloodstream. Prolonged exposure to PM2.5 is linked to heart disease, respiratory illnesses, and premature death. The CREA analysis shows that ammonium sulfate, a secondary pollutant formed in the atmosphere from SO₂ and NH₃, makes up 34% of the PM2.5 mass on an average across Indian cities. In Kolkata, ammonium sulfate concentrations reach 21.7 µg/m³, placing it among the top five NCAP cities most affected by this pollutant, alongside Patna, Muzaffarpur, Howrah, and Varanasi. "We are ignoring one-third of the problem. Unless we address the gases forming PM2.5, real air quality improvement will remain out of reach," said Manoj Kumar, analyst at CREA. Secondary pollutants differ from primary pollutants in that they form in the atmosphere through chemical reactions, making them harder to trace and regulate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Reimagining Modern Workspaces Starts With Smarter Monitors CRN UK Learn More Undo Because they are transboundary in nature, their impact is felt far beyond state and city borders. You Can Also Check: Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata CREA's study finds that 114 out of 130 NCAP cities had ammonium sulfate contributing more than 30% to PM2.5 levels. Cities like Jodhpur, Rajkot, and Srinagar were among the few where the contribution was below 25%. The nationwide average ammonium sulfate concentration is 11.9 µg/m³ and the maximum recorded is 22.5 µg/m³ in Patna. In areas near coal-fired thermal power plants, concentrations of ammonium sulfate are 2.5 times higher than in distant regions. CREA found that SO₂ emissions from these plants are the single largest driver, accounting for over 60% of India's SO₂ output. Despite the overwhelming evidence, the study finds, NCAP continues to focus largely on PM10, while PM2.5 — finer, more toxic, and deadlier — gets inadequate attention. Secondary particles like ammonium nitrate also add significantly to the burden, with secondary pollutants forming up to 50% of PM2.5 mass in some areas. CREA recommends NCAP and city-level clean air plans expand focus to PM2.5 and its precursor gases, mandate flue gas desulfurisation in thermal power plants to cut SO₂, regulate ammonia sources, and ensure compliance with emission standards. "Without this, tackling secondary PM2.5 will stay a challenge," Kumar said.
India Gazette
3 hours ago
- India Gazette
Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav meet family of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 29 (ANI): Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, along with party MP Dimple Yadav, on Sunday met with the family of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the first Indian astronaut to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS) Group Captain Shukla is serving as Mission Pilot on the four-member Axiom Mission 4, which launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and docked with the ISS on Thursday. Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav extended their best wishes to the family of Shubhanshu Shukla in Lucknow. Speaking about their visit, Shubhanshu Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, told ANI, 'I thank them for extending best wishes to my is a matter of pride for had a discussion on Shubhanshu Shukla's mission.' Shubhanshu Shukla's mother, Asha Shukla, said that they felt very good that Akhilesh Yadav along with his family came to meet them. 'We felt very good as SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav, along with his family, came to meet extended best wishes to our are feeling very proud,' she said. Shubhanshu Shukla's sister, Shuchi Mishra, said, 'They (Akhilesh Yadav along with his family) extended best wishes to us...I am feeling very proud as we are getting a lot of recognition due to the hard work of my brother' On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla via videoconferencing and said India is going to open doors of new possibilities of space for the world. The Prime Minister remarked that although Shubhanshu Shukla is presently the farthest from the Indian motherland, he remains closest to the hearts of all Indians. He noted that Shubhanshu's name itself carries auspiciousness, and his journey marks the beginning of a new era. PM Modi enquired about Shubhanshu's well-being and whether all was fine aboard the space station. Responding to the Prime Minister, Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla thanked for best wishes on behalf of 140 crore Indians and stated that he is in good health and deeply moved by the love and blessings he has received. He described his time in orbit as a profound and novel experience, one that reflects not just his personal journey but also the direction in which India is advancing. (ANI)
News18
6 hours ago
- News18
Say Cheese! Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Selfie With Hungarian Crewmate Lights Up Social Media
Last Updated: The photo, which surfaced on Sunday, shows Shukla smiling alongside his Hungarian crewmate, Tibor Kapu A selfie taken by Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from space has captured the internet's attention. The photo, which surfaced on Sunday, shows Shukla smiling alongside his Hungarian crewmate, Tibor Kapu, inside the Cupola module of the International Space Station (ISS). — ISRO Spaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) June 29, 2025 Lucknow-born Captain Shukla made history last Thursday by becoming the first Indian to set foot on the ISS, and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984. At 39 years old, he is now the 634th astronaut to travel beyond Earth, taking part in a commercial mission operated by Axiom Space. As Mission Pilot of the four-member Axiom Mission 4, Shukla launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on June 25 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After a smooth 28-hour journey, the Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS, where he and the crew were greeted with warm hugs and handshakes. After stepping into the ISS, Shukla signed off his first public message with the proud words, 'Jai Hind, Jai Bharat." The Prime Minister also praised Shukla for bringing pride to the nation. He noted that though Shukla is presently the farthest from the Indian motherland, he remains closest to the hearts of all Indians. (With inputs from agencies)
