Question

“As outer space becomes more congested, commercialised and strategically contested, sustainable space governance is becoming a prerequisite for development and security.” Discuss the global governance challenges and India’s role.

GS Paper III | Science & Technology | 15 Marks | 250 Words | Suggested Time: 11 Minutes | Difficulty: Hard

What the Question Demands

Link the technical problem of debris and crowded orbits with international law, private-sector regulation, security competition and equitable access. The answer must also explain what India can realistically contribute as a major spacefaring country with growing commercial capability.

Answer-Writing Roadmap

1. Begin with the dependence of modern economies and security on space systems.
2. Explain congestion, debris, mega-constellations and dual-use risks.
3. Briefly map the Outer Space Treaty, Liability Convention and Registration Convention.
4. Assess gaps: space traffic, private liability, cyber security and orbital equity.
5. Give India-specific role and a practical way forward.

Dimensions to Cover

space debris; orbital congestion; space traffic management; international law; private actors; liability; registration; cyber security; dual-use technology; spectrum and orbital equity; ISRO; commercial space; Global South.

Suggested Flowchart

More Actors + More Satellites → Congestion/Debris → Collision & Security Risk → Governance Gap → Traffic Rules + Liability + Data Sharing + Sustainable Disposal

Model Answer

Introduction: Space systems now underpin communication, navigation, banking, weather forecasting, agriculture, disaster response and defence. As satellite numbers and private actors rise, orbital sustainability has become a global public-goods challenge rather than a narrow scientific issue.

Major governance challenges: First, orbital congestion and debris raise collision risks and can create cascading damage. Second, current treaty law was designed before mega-constellations and large-scale commercial activity, leaving gaps in space-traffic management and end-of-life disposal. Third, private operators complicate questions of authorisation, liability and supervision. Fourth, dual-use satellites and counter-space capabilities increase mistrust. Fifth, access to spectrum and useful orbital positions raises equity concerns for developing countries.

Existing legal architecture: The Outer Space Treaty establishes non-appropriation and State responsibility; the Liability Convention addresses damage caused by space objects; and the Registration Convention promotes transparency. However, operational norms for traffic coordination, debris mitigation and commercial conduct remain fragmented.

India’s role: India can combine ISRO’s technical credibility, commercial launch experience and a growing private-space ecosystem to advocate transparent registration, debris mitigation, collision-data sharing and predictable domestic authorisation. It can also champion affordable access and capacity building for developing countries.

Way forward: Develop interoperable space-traffic standards, strengthen space situational awareness, require end-of-life disposal plans, improve cyber resilience, clarify private-sector liability and support multilateral rule-making without creating technology monopolies.

Conclusion: Sustainable space governance should preserve space as a shared domain for development while reducing environmental and strategic risks. India can act as a bridge between advanced space powers and emerging spacefaring nations.

Student Presentation Tip

Draw a small four-box framework: Environment – Law – Security – Equity. Under each, add one problem and one solution. This gives the answer multidimensional structure within 250 words.

Official Reference

PIB — PM’s remarks at the International Space Summit in Paris, 10 September 2026