SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) are intensifying efforts to develop their own long-range radar systems to monitor space for debris and potential offensive systems, spurred by increasing Chinese activity in the space domain. This strategic push also comes in the wake of a sobering incident in April 2022, when debris from a Chinese CZ-3B rocket, initially predicted by the U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) to impact near Myanmar and the Arabian Sea, instead crashed over India, scattering rocket nozzles, rings, and fuel tanks across populated areas.
The CZ-3B incident highlighted critical gaps in India’s space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities. USSPACECOM’s Space-Track portal had forecasted the uncontrolled re-entry of the rocket’s upper stage on April 2, 2022, projecting a splashdown in the Indian Ocean. However, the debris defied predictions, raining down over Maharashtra and Gujarat, with fragments landing perilously close to residential zones. Posts on X at the time expressed alarm over the lack of precise tracking, with one user noting, “India can’t keep relying on foreign alerts—our skies need our own eyes.” This event underscored the urgent need for indigenous systems to safeguard India’s space assets and population from such hazards.
In response, ISRO and DRDO are collaborating to deploy long-range radars under initiatives like ISRO’s Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) and DRDO’s parallel SSA programs. These radars, some with ranges exceeding 3,000 kilometers, aim to detect and track space debris, defunct satellites, and potentially hostile systems like anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons. The move is partly driven by China’s expanding space footprint—Beijing operates over 500 satellites, including military reconnaissance platforms, and has demonstrated ASAT capabilities, notably in its 2007 test that created thousands of debris fragments.
ISRO’s NETRA project, already underway, involves a network of radars, optical telescopes, and a command center to monitor objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) and geosynchronous orbits up to 36,000 kilometers. A key milestone is the planned deployment of India’s first space debris monitoring radar in Chandrapur, Assam, expected to be operational within 2025. DRDO, meanwhile, is developing complementary ground- and space-based systems, including extremely long-range radars and optical devices, to enhance military SSA and counter threats like kinetic kill vehicles or electronic jamming platforms.
The 2022 CZ-3B incident wasn’t an isolated case—China’s Long March series has a history of uncontrolled re-entries, with debris from a CZ-5B crashing in the Pacific in 2021 and 2023. India’s upgraded infrastructure aims to mitigate such risks, ensuring early warnings and precise tracking. Coordination between ISRO, DRDO, and international partners, bolstered by a 2022 SSA data-sharing pact with the U.S., will enhance this capability. The Indian Air Force’s Integrated Space Cell will also play a role, aligning civilian and military efforts.
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