Space Re-entry Guidelines: IN-SPACe Rules for Sustainable Space Operations

24 Aug 2026

Subject: GS 3: Science & Technology

Context: On National Space Day 2026 (23 August 2026), India’s expanding space ecosystem has moved beyond launching satellites to addressing the responsibilities associated with their end-of-life and re-entry.

Following the success of Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) issued India’s first guidelines for planned re-entry of space objects.

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What is Space Re-entry?

Meaning: Space re-entry is the return of a satellite, spacecraft or rocket stage from orbit into Earth’s atmosphere.
Planned/Controlled Re-entry: An intentional manoeuvre to bring a space object into a designated safe zone, such as a remote ocean area, or ensure that it largely burns up/fragments in the atmosphere.
Uncontrolled Re-entry: Occurs through natural orbital decay, without active control over the object’s trajectory. It can create uncertainty over the time and location of debris impact.

Why is Re-entry a Sustainability Challenge?

Orbital Congestion: Thousands of satellites now operate in Low Earth Orbit, with many more planned.
More Frequent Disposal: Growing satellite constellations mean increasing numbers of objects will eventually require de-orbiting.
Cross-border Risks: Debris can affect airspace, maritime zones and territories of other States.
Ground Casualty Risk: Surviving fragments, batteries, fuel tanks or pressure vessels can pose risks to people and infrastructure.
- Thus, re-entry is not merely a physics problem but also a governance and liability problem.

Key IN-SPACe Guidelines

Regulatory Accountability: IN-SPACe, the single-window agency for authorising space activities, requires Indian entities undertaking planned re-entry anywhere in the world to obtain authorisation.
- Foreign entities re-entering over Indian territory must operate through an Indian-incorporated entity.
Risk Threshold: Expected casualty risk must remain below 1 in 10,000 (10⁻⁴), supported by survivability, fragmentation and ground-risk assessments.
Advance Planning: Re-entry parameters must be submitted during mission filing or, if decided after launch, at least six months in advance. IN-SPACe re-verifies the parameters around three months before re-entry.
Aviation and Maritime Warnings: Operators must obtain an IN-SPACe advisory note at least 45 days before re-entry to facilitate warnings to aircraft and vessels through relevant systems such as NOTAMs and maritime navigational warnings.
- NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) is an aviation safety alert issued through telecommunications about temporary changes, hazards or restrictions affecting air navigation and flight operations.
Foreign Jurisdiction: If the re-entry or impact zone involves another State’s territory or Exclusive Economic Zone, the concerned State’s authorisation is required.
Liability and Insurance: Operators undertake re-entry at their own risk, must maintain applicable third-party insurance, and indemnify the Government of India against liabilities arising from India’s international commitments.