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IN-SPACe Issues Authorisation Guidelines for Planned Re-entry of Space Objects
The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) releases new guidelines that mandate authorisation for planned re-entry of space objects. The guidelines regulate planned re-entry by Indian entities, set risk and insurance requirements, and specify disclosures, timelines, exemptions, and documentation.
IN-SPACe Guidelines for Planned Re-entry of Space Objects:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | The guidelines are issued by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). |
| Planned re-entry | Planned re-entry comprises controlled return of satellites, launch vehicles, or space objects to Earth with a managed landing area, time, or trajectory. |
| Uncontrolled re-entry | Uncontrolled re-entry comprises objects that naturally decay and burn up in the atmosphere. |
| Mandatory authorisation | Indian entities must seek IN-SPACe approval for planned re-entry, whether within or outside Indian territory. |
| Foreign entities | Foreign entities are authorised only via Indian-incorporated firms. |
| Risk threshold | Casualty risk must remain below 1 in 10,000. |
| Insurance requirement | Mandatory third-party liability insurance applies, and companies bear full risk, not the Government of India. |
| Disclosure requirement | Re-entry intent must be declared during the initial application, and late decisions require authorisation at least 6 months before the manoeuvre. |
| Approval timeline | IN-SPACe requires re-entry disclosure at application, re-verified 3 months prior, and late decisions require application 6 months before planned controlled re-entry. |
| Exemption | Objects expected to fully burn up during disposal do not need separate approval. |
| Technical documentation | Applicants are required to submit: mission profile and re-entry trajectory; de-orbit strategy and failure scenarios; fragmentation and survivability analyses; ground casualty and reliability assessments; identification of impact or danger zones, and mitigation measures. |
| NOTAMs and maritime notifications | Planned re-entry requires an IN-SPACe advisory note for Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) and maritime danger-zone notifications. |
| Amendment of authorisation | Entities may have to amend their authorisation if the timeline, trajectory, or impact zone changes occur. |