IN-SPACe issues guidelines for planned re-entry of space objects
IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) issued a dedicated set of norms, guidelines and procedures for the "planned re-entry of space objects," implementing a specific provision of the Indian Space Policy, 2023.
Any entity carrying out a planned re-entry — bringing a space object back into Earth's atmosphere in a controlled or deliberate manner, whether the re-entry occurs within or outside Indian territory — must obtain prior IN-SPACe authorisation.
Foreign (non-Indian) entities cannot apply directly; they must route the authorisation through an India-incorporated entity, such as a subsidiary, joint venture, or collaboration with an Indian company.
The guidelines prescribe a maximum permissible casualty risk threshold, mandatory technical disclosures (re-entry corridor, tracking arrangements, NOTAM/maritime hazard notifications), and a minimum lead time before the applicant may proceed.
Objects designed to naturally burn up during routine end-of-mission disposal, with negligible debris expected to reach the ground, are exempted from this separate authorisation requirement.
Indian Space Policy, 2023 and IN-SPACe's Authorisation Mandate
The Indian Space Policy, 2023 (approved by the Union Cabinet in April 2023) is the overarching framework liberalising India's space sector, opening up the entire value chain — from satellite manufacturing and launch to ground segment and applications — to Non-Government Entities (NGEs). It assigns IN-SPACe the role of single-window promoter, facilitator, authoriser and supervisor of all space activities carried out by NGEs, including establishment/operation of space objects, launch of rockets, setting up launchpads, and — as this news shows — planned re-entry of space objects.
Key Details
- IN-SPACe was set up on June 24, 2020, as an autonomous, single-window nodal agency under the Department of Space, to boost private participation in the space sector.
- Indian Space Policy, 2023 was released by the Department of Space in April 2023, formally distinguishing the roles of ISRO (R&D and operationalisation of new technologies), IN-SPACe (promotion/authorisation), NewSpace India Limited or NSIL (commercial arm, technology transfer), and the Department of Space (policy-making).
- IN-SPACe has issued separate topic-specific "Norms, Guidelines and Procedures" (NGPs) under the 2023 Policy — covering satellite communication, remote sensing, and now planned re-entry — each detailing eligibility, application process, and compliance conditions for NGEs.
- The re-entry guidelines follow closely after India's first privately built orbital rocket launch, underlining the regulatory push to formalise end-of-life/disposal obligations as private launch activity increases.
The re-entry guidelines are a direct exercise of IN-SPACe's statutory authorisation role under the 2023 Policy — extending India's regulatory net from launch and satellite operation to the disposal/de-orbiting stage of the space object lifecycle.
Space Debris Mitigation and the Casualty Risk Threshold
As more satellites, rocket bodies and space objects re-enter the atmosphere, a portion may survive re-entry heating and reach the ground, posing a risk to life and property. International practice manages this through a quantitative "casualty risk" threshold applied at the mission-planning stage, ensuring operators mitigate ground-impact risk before undertaking (or after completing) a mission.
Key Details
- IN-SPACe's guidelines fix the acceptable casualty risk from a planned re-entry at no more than 1 in 10,000 (probability of a human casualty).
- This 1-in-10,000 threshold mirrors the internationally recommended standard in the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC) Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines (2021 edition); IADC has 13 member space agencies, including ISRO, NASA, ESA, Roscosmos and CNSA.
- Comparable national regulators — the US FAA, and space agencies of France and Japan — have also adopted the same 1-in-10,000 casualty-risk benchmark for licensing re-entry and disposal operations.
- Applicants must submit a detailed casualty-risk assessment, the predicted re-entry corridor, and object-tracking arrangements at least 45 days before the planned re-entry.
By codifying the 1-in-10,000 threshold domestically, India aligns its private space regulatory regime with global space debris mitigation norms, closing a gap that existed as Indian private players began undertaking end-of-mission disposal and controlled re-entry operations.
Space Object Registration and India's International Obligations
Under the UN Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (1976), the "launching State" retains jurisdiction, control, and liability for a space object throughout its operational life, including during de-orbiting and re-entry. India, as a launching State, is answerable internationally for objects launched from its territory or by its nationals/entities.
Key Details
- The Registration Convention (1976) requires launching States to maintain a national registry and furnish details to the UN Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space; ISRO/Department of Space performs this function for India.
- Under the 1972 Liability Convention, a launching State is absolutely liable for damage caused by its space object on the surface of the Earth — reinforcing why IN-SPACe requires risk mitigation and reporting before permitting a planned re-entry by any India-linked entity.
- Requiring foreign entities to route re-entry activity through an India-incorporated company ensures a clear domestic legal person is answerable to IN-SPACe, even though ultimate State liability under international law rests with India as the launching/registering State where applicable.
The guidelines operationalise India's international space-law obligations (registration and liability) into a domestic licensing mechanism, ensuring any re-entry activity connected to India is tracked, risk-assessed, and attributable to an accountable entity.
- IN-SPACe established: June 24, 2020, under the Department of Space.
- Indian Space Policy, 2023: approved by Union Cabinet, April 2023.
- Casualty risk threshold for planned re-entry: not exceeding 1 in 10,000.
- Minimum notice period for re-entry authorisation application: 45 days before planned re-entry.
- IADC (Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee): 13 member space agencies, including ISRO; 1-in-10,000 threshold recommended in its 2021 Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines.
- Foreign entities must route authorisation applications through an India-incorporated subsidiary, joint venture, or collaboration.
- Key international treaties underpinning the regime: Registration Convention (1976) and Liability Convention (1972).