Space Weather Preparedness Is In Our National Interest

Context: Highlighting the risks associated with increasing dependence of digital economy on satellite constellations and the need for a comprehensive national space-weather law.

Risks associated with increasing dependence of digital economy on satellite constellations

• Celestial equivalent of traffic accidents: Resulting in massive free-floating space debris.
  • A 2020 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report estimates that protecting satellites from space debris could cost 5-10% more per space mission.
• Extreme weather events: Space weather-caused glitches could threaten space assets and compromise operations.

Lessons for India

• A Comprehensive National Space-Weather Law: Comprehending India’s blue-water navy aspirations, operating an indigenous satellite navigation system, securing road, rail, energy, telecom, shipping and aviation infrastructure.
• Develop and adopt space weather forecasts capabilities: Deploy across-the-board space-weather monitoring, forecasting and response systems designed to safeguard deep-space assets and protect gaganauts.
  • For E.g. he data generated by Aditya-L1 will be crucial for India’s space weather monitoring ambitions.
• Whole-of-government approach: Enactment of a space weather law, like India’s 2005 Disaster Management Act, could help the country protect its digital and telecom systems that extend to outer space.