ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Operation (IS4OM)

Table of Contents

IS4OM- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 3: Science and Technology- Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology inaugurated the “ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Operation” (IS4OM) at ISRO Control Centre, in Bengaluru.
Around 60 Start-Ups have registered with ISRO since “unlocking” of the Indian Space sector recently by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Many of them are dealing with projects related to Space debris management.
- The other Start-Up proposals vary from nano-satellite, launch vehicle, ground systems, research etc.

About: S4OM is a facility that is conceived with a holistic approach towards ensuring safety and sustainability while reaping the benefits of sustainable utilization of outer space for national development.
Mandate: Multi-domain awareness platform S4OM will bring a prompt, accurate and efficient information on on-orbit collision, fragmentation, atmospheric re-entry risk, space based strategic information, hazardous asteroids and space weather forecast.
Key Function: S4OM facility will aid India in achieving its SSA (Space Situational Awareness) goals by providing a comprehensive and timely information of the Space environment to users.
Significance: IS4OM facility can support-
- All routine operations safeguarding Indian space assets, mitigating collision threats from space objects through specific collision avoidance manoeuvres,
- Information required for strategic purposes and
- Research activities in Space Debris and Space Situational Awareness.

Space junk or debris consist of spent rocket stages, dead satellites, fragments of space objects and debris resulting from ASAT (Anti-satellite weapons).
Moving at an average speed of 27,000 kmph in LEO, these objects pose a very real threat as collisions involving even centimetre-sized fragments can be lethal to satellites.
For protection of Indian satellites and other equipment in orbit, ISRO actively participates in all international efforts to contain the space debris growth for the long-term sustainability of outer space.

https://www.adda247.com/upsc-exam/in-space/