Current Affairs

Sign in
વિજ્ઞાન અને ટેકનોલોજીGS3
GS3

ISRO NETRA Facility and Space Situational Awareness

Source:Indian Express ↗

આ શા માટે મહત્વનું છે

With the exponential growth of space debris and active satellites, Space Situational Awareness (SSA) has become vital for protecting national space assets and ensuring the sustainability of outer space operations. ISRO's expansion of NETRA infrastructure to regional hubs like Guwahati enhances India's independent tracking capabilities.

સારાંશ

ISRO has set up a new space tracking facility under Project NETRA in Guwahati, Assam, aiming to bolster India's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities. The facility will help track space debris and safeguard Indian space assets against orbital collisions, highlighting India's growing focus on space asset security and regional technological infrastructure expansion.

મુખ્ય મુદ્દા

  • ISRO has established a new space tracking and observation facility under Project NETRA (Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis) in Guwahati, Assam.
  • The facility is designed to enhance India's Space Situational Awareness (SSA) by tracking space debris, inactive satellites, and protecting domestic space assets from potential collisions.
  • Geographically, placing tracking facilities in Northeast India expands baseline coverage for observing objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO).
  • Project NETRA plays a crucial role in safeguarding India's strategic space infrastructure as commercial and military utilization of outer space accelerates.

મહત્વપૂર્ણ શબ્દો

ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)

The premier national space agency of India, responsible for the country's civilian space program, satellite launches, deep space exploration, and space-based technological applications.

UPSC context

GS Paper III (Science & Technology - Space Technology). Tests knowledge of India's institutional framework and space milestones.

Source
Project NETRA

Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis; an early-warning and tracking project launched by ISRO to detect space debris and safeguard Indian assets in Earth orbit.

UPSC context

GS Paper III (Science & Technology). Important for questions on space debris management, SSA, and national security in space.

Source
Space Situational Awareness (SSA)

The ability to track, monitor, understand, and predict the physical and operational environment in space, particularly concerning space debris and collision avoidance.

UPSC context

GS Paper III (Science & Technology - Space). Essential for understanding sustainable space exploration, orbital safety, and strategic policy.

Source

પ્રિલિમ્સ ટ્રેપ

Project NETRA's central command hub and primary data-processing facility is situated in Guwahati, Assam.

Aspirants might assume NETRA's central command is in Northeast India because of the new Guwahati facility, whereas the central control hub is at ISTRAC, Bengaluru.

સંલગ્ન સ્થિર ખ્યાલો

Science & Technology Space

What is Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and why is Project NETRA significant for India?

  • Independent Tracking: Indigenous Capability: NETRA provides India an independent tracking system without relying on foreign space catalogs (like US Strategic Command data).
  • Collision Avoidance: Orbital Protection: Enables Collision Avoidance Maneuvers (CAM) for critical operational satellites against space debris and active threats.
  • Strategic Infrastructure: Strategic Asset: Vital as commercial and military utilization of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) intensifies.

આંતર-વિષય પેટર્ન

  • SSA Infrastructure and Northeast Geopolitics

    Space Situational Awareness infrastructure and regional security in Northeast India intersect with Act East policy and border-state technological capacity-building.

  • Project NETRA and Global Outer Space Governance

    India's domestic debris-tracking initiatives like NETRA complement international frameworks on responsible outer-space behaviors and militarization prevention at the UN.

Project NETRA + SSA capabilities likely to feature in a multi-statement prelims question on indigenous space tech or debris tracking.

સંલગ્ન PYQ · 3

સંલગ્ન PYQ · 3

  • 2024PrelimsGS1

    Consider the following activities : 1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft 2. Monitoring of precipitation 3. Tracking the migration of animals In how many of the above activities can the radars be used?

  • 2017PrelimsGS1

    What is the purpose of 'evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)' project?

  • 2016MainsGS3

    Discuss India's achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?