Global space norms find a firm footing in India’s new re-entry rules

On August 23, India marked its third National Space Day, three years since the Chandrayaan-3 mission’s lunar lander ‘Vikram’ touched down in the Moon’s south pole region.

Between then and Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace launching India’s first privately built rocket to orbit, India has come a long way, even as it is just beginning to regulate the responsibilities that follow from expanding its orbital footprint.

For many decades, there were few rocket launches and few new satellites in orbit every year, so there were also few re-entries, and most of them simply burned up in the atmosphere with little consequence. But today, low-earth orbit hosts several thousand satellites, with private companies planning for many more.

In this context, India is putting in place new re-entry rules that align with global space norms, reflecting the growing need for responsible orbital management.