The Space Debris and the satellites

The Long March-5B rocket of China plummeted back to earth on Monday, 11 May, after losing control. The junk that fell created history as it became the largest piece of space junk in decades to fall on earth(after the 30-tonne debris of Salyut-7 of Soviet Union which landed in 1991). It was an 18-tonne chunk that landed near the New York City of United States. The crash supposedly took place just off the west coast of Mauritania. This is not the first time China failed to successfully put a satellite in its proposed orbit.

On April 9, 2020, a Chinese rocket carrying an Indonesian satellite also faced same fate. Prior to this, during the start of 2019, another Chinese rocket failed and rained down on a Chinese village. The unpredictable nature of these kinds of events is a matter of concern and better regulations to govern the same are a necessity.

“Present is the mirror that reflects the history, to organise our present, we must know our history”. Therefore, let us take a closer look at the history of artificial satellites and to create a better understanding of the satellites and the current situation of space debris.

Satellites: The link b/w Mankind and the Space

A satellite is an object in space that orbits or circles around a bigger object. Satellites, as we all know, can be of two types: Natural and Artificial Satellites. An artificial satellite is one that we put into the orbit. On October 4, 1957, artificial satellite called the ‘Sputnik-1’ was launched by the Soviet Union into space. This step marked the beginning of a new, modern era, one in which escaping the earth’s gravity was not just a dream anymore. Nearly 6 months later, on February 1, 1958, U.S. launched its very own satellite, called ‘The Explorer-1’. This whole thing encouraged and inspired other countries to join in, and hence a sort of chain reaction started. India joined this elite group of countries on 18^th July, 1980, with her satellite called the Aryabhatta, which was actually launched by the Soviet carrier rocket, from Soviet launch base. Currently, there are 2218 satellites orbiting the earth. Apart from that, as of now, there are 13 countries (including Russia and Ukraine) that are considered as the launch capable countries. China launched its satellite, named Dong Fang Hong-1, into space in 24 April, 1970.

List of Launch Capable Countries

USA (Explorer-1) 

France(Asterix) 

Japan(Ohsumi)

China(Dong Fang Hong-1)

United Kingdom(Prospero)

India(Rohini)

Israel(Ofeq-1)

Russia(Kosmos-2175)

 Ukraine(Strela)

Iran(Omid)

 North Korea(Kwangmyongsong-3) 

South Korea(STSAT-2C) 

New Zealand(Cubesat)

 Understanding Our Rockets

The rockets, in a strict astronomical sense, are the vehicles that are used to carry payload into space and to put satellites into their orbit. The rockets (or satellite launch vehicles) we use comprise of components that are meant to detach after the initial stages of take off. This provides extra thrust to the rocket to advance, and also reduces extra load. This detaching system is also the reason that the main payload is always present in the topmost stages (compartment) of the rocket. India’s GSLV Mk-III is a 3-stage medium-lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO. Long March 5 variant, LM-5B, which plummeted near the NY, is a Chinese heavy lift launch system developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. Although the original version of Long March 5 was a 2-stage rocket, LM-5B is a single stage rocket, meaning the failure of the rocket will result in larger and heavier debris.

The Crisis of Space Debris

The space junk that fall back on earth due to earth’s gravity can damage not only the piece of property it fall on, but can also result in casualties. On an average, 200-400 objects fall back on earth every year. Although most objects are significantly small and possess little or no danger to mankind or environment at all, still the possibility of larger debris falling back is increasing day by day with increase in space launches.

Also the new LM-5B designed by China, being single stage vehicle, can result in terrifying accidents with its larger-than-usual size of debris, that is, if it fails. Therefore, better regulations and technology, that can help us in reducing space debris, are the need of hour.

Points to Remember

1. India’s Satellite Vehicle : GSLV Mark 3(3stage)

2. Chinese Satellite Vehicle : Long March 5(2stage), LM-5B(Single stage)

3. First Satellite : Sputnik-1 by Soviet Union

4. First Indian Satellite : Aryabhatta

5. First Indian Satellite launched from India : Rohini-1

6. Largest Space Debris : 30 tonne Salyut-7 of USSR in 1991