ANI image BENGALURU: Earth’s orbit is turning into a high-speed traffic grid and Indian satellites are swerving to stay safe. More than 1.5 lakh close approach alerts were issued for Indian space assets in 2025, exposing mounting collision risks in an increasingly crowded sky.Data from Indian Space Situational Assessment Report 2025 shows about 1.6 lakh alerts globally, many generated by the US Space Command’s Combined Space Operations Center. Each alert flags a potential nearmiss — a sign of how tightly packed orbital paths have become. Behind record-breaking launches lies mounting operational pressure.A surge in satellite constellations, often deployed in clusters exceeding 100 objects in a single day, has shrunk reaction windows and complicated tracking.For Isro, that has meant constant vigilance. Indian missions carried out 18 collision avoidance manoeuvres (CAM) during the year — 14 in low Earth orbit and four in geosynchronous orbit — to steer clear of danger. “All manoeuvre plans, including CAMs, were subjected to close-approach risk analysis to rule out potential close approach with neighbouring space objects within a few days of the manoeuvres; 82 manoeuvre plans were revised to avoid post-manoeuvre close approaches with other space objects for LEO satellites, and two were revised to avoid post-manoeuvre conjunctions for GEO satellites,” the report found.Deep-space missions faced similar constraints. Chandrayaan-2 orbiter executed 16 orbit manoeuvres, with plans altered twice to avoid risks.Globally, 315 successful launches in 2025 placed 4,651 objects in orbit — far higher than 254 launches in 2024 and 212 in 2023. Of these, 4,198 are operational satellites. While 1,911 objects re-entered the atmosphere, the total population in orbit continues to grow. A tipping point looms. Active satellites could outnumber debris within this decade, raising stakes for coordination as more objects move through narrow corridors at high speeds.About the AuthorChethan KumarChethan Kumar is a Senior Assistant Editor with the Times of India. Aside from specialising in Space & Science, he has reported extensively on varied topics, with special focus on defence, policy and data stories. He has covered multiple elections, too. As a young democracy grows out of adolescence, Chethan feels, there are reels of tales emerging which need to be captured. To do this, he alternates between the mundane goings-on of the Common Man and the wonder-filled worlds of scientists and scamsters, politicians and soldiers. In a career spanning nearly 18 years, he has reported from multiple datelines — Houston, Florida, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Sriharikota (AP), NH-1 (J&K Highway), New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Raichur, Bhatkal, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, to name a few — but is based out of Bengaluru, India’s science capital that also hosts the ISRO HQ.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Never Be Forgiven’: PM Modi Dares Opposition On Women Quota Bill, Priyanka Gandhi Questions Timing‘Won’t Reduce South’s Share’: Amit Shah Clarifies On Delimitation, Calls Oppn Claims ‘Misleading’Hal’s Light Utility Helicopter Explained: Specs, Altitude Edge And Why It Matters‘PM Modi Only Flag Bearer Of Feminism’: Kangana Ranaut Targets Congress Over Women Quota Bill In Lok SabhaPM Modi, French President Macron Stress Urgent Need To Restore Hormuz Safety During Phone Call’If Chanakya Were Alive…’: Priyanka Gandhi’s Swipe At Amit Shah Over Delimitation, Women QuotaNo More Russian Oil Waiver: What The US Decision Means For India’s Energy Needs Amid West Asia CrisisAustria’s Chancellor Calls India Key Partner, Pushes India-EU Trade Deal Amid Global TurmoilLok Sabha Erupts As Sawant Names Sengar, Brij Bhushan; Dubey Hits Back With Aaditya Thackeray Claim‘Not A Backdoor Exercise’: Tejasvi Surya Counters Opposition On Delimitation, Flags Representation Risks123Photostories8 rare baby boy names that start with the letter ‘K’Exclusive – Kiku Sharda opens up about his kids’ reaction to his female roles, Sunil Grover’s talent, and his bond with Kapil Sharma5 Japanese food rituals that could fix your eating habits instantlyWhy your heirloom Kanjeevaram saree feels so different from a modern silk shirt8 most unusual monkeys in the world: From capuchins to mandrillsStep inside Chris Gayle’s ₹20 crore lavish Jamaica mansion with private nightclub, infinity pools and unbelievable ocean views!‘Are we eating all our mangoes’: Why despite being the largest producer of mangoes, India is able to export just 1 percentGold vs lab-grown diamonds: What should you really buy this Akshaya Tritiya?Top 5 posh residential areas in Gurugram for premium living7 local and comforting dishes to try in Mangalore123Hot PicksIran warWipro buyback planPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingTCS NashikTrump-Modi callSouth Delimitation ImpactAmit ShahPriyanka GandhiUK Flea Treatment RulesAlex ManningerCody RhodesCharlie Kirk ControversyTiger Woods
BENGALURU: Earth’s orbit is turning into a high-speed traffic grid and Indian satellites are swerving to stay safe. More than 1.5 lakh close approach alerts were issued for Indian space assets in 2025, exposing mounting collision risks in an increasingly crowded sky.Data from Indian Space Situational Assessment Report 2025 shows about 1.6 lakh alerts globally, many generated by the US Space Command’s Combined Space Operations Center. Each alert flags a potential nearmiss — a sign of how tightly packed orbital paths have become. Behind record-breaking launches lies mounting operational pressure.A surge in satellite constellations, often deployed in clusters exceeding 100 objects in a single day, has shrunk reaction windows and complicated tracking.For Isro, that has meant constant vigilance. Indian missions carried out 18 collision avoidance manoeuvres (CAM) during the year — 14 in low Earth orbit and four in geosynchronous orbit — to steer clear of danger. “All manoeuvre plans, including CAMs, were subjected to close-approach risk analysis to rule out potential close approach with neighbouring space objects within a few days of the manoeuvres; 82 manoeuvre plans were revised to avoid post-manoeuvre close approaches with other space objects for LEO satellites, and two were revised to avoid post-manoeuvre conjunctions for GEO satellites,” the report found.Deep-space missions faced similar constraints. Chandrayaan-2 orbiter executed 16 orbit manoeuvres, with plans altered twice to avoid risks.Globally, 315 successful launches in 2025 placed 4,651 objects in orbit — far higher than 254 launches in 2024 and 212 in 2023. Of these, 4,198 are operational satellites. While 1,911 objects re-entered the atmosphere, the total population in orbit continues to grow. A tipping point looms. Active satellites could outnumber debris within this decade, raising stakes for coordination as more objects move through narrow corridors at high speeds.
