As outer space becomes crowded, commercialised, and militarised, Space Situational Awareness (SSA) has emerged as the backbone of national security for India.  

Air Marshal Anil Khosla (R) | For The News Analytics Herald

5 mins read.

Outer space is undergoing a profound transformation driven by technological advancement, commercial participation, and intensifying strategic competition. Mega-constellations, dual-use technologies, and growing space debris now define the orbital environment. These developments have heightened the importance of Space Situational Awareness (SSA)—the capability to detect, track, and characterise space objects while assessing potential threats and collision risks.

India is reportedly drafting a comprehensive SSA policy to regulate satellites and orbital objects through systematic tracking and monitoring. This marks a transition from a developmental space programme to an integrated governance framework. With this institutional approach, India positions itself as both a responsible space actor and an emerging rule-shaper in global space governance.

INDIA’S SSA FRAMEWORK

SSA has become central to safe operations in an increasingly congested orbital environment. The Indian Space Policy 2023 identified SSA as a priority and tasked the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) with its promotion. The draft guidelines now mandate SSA compliance for mission authorisation and cover collision avoidance, debris mitigation, tracking, cybersecurity, and lifecycle audits.

Key institutional components include:

• IS4OM (ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management): A centralised system for space traffic management, debris mitigation, and collision monitoring.
• NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis): A network of radars and optical telescopes for tracking debris, satellites, and near-Earth objects.
• Collision Avoidance (COLA): Mandatory analysis for all launch vehicles and satellites to prevent orbital incidents.
• Data Governance: Secure data-sharing protocols with encryption and provisions for government access for national security.
• Regulatory Oversight: Authorisation and audits of SSA systems, including government control provisions during emergencies.
• Debris-Free Space Mission (DFSM): Aimed at achieving debris-free missions by 2030, including stringent post-mission disposal norms.

Collectively, these elements establish SSA as the foundation of India’s space governance architecture.

MILITARY AND STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS

SSA is also critical to India’s military space deterrence. It enables early threat detection, protection of over 100 operational satellites, and credible signalling to adversaries. The Defence Space Agency (DSA) integrates tri-service capabilities in space security, with plans to expand military satellite deployments significantly by 2029.

Deterrence is enhanced primarily through denial. Robust SSA discourages kinetic anti-satellite (ASAT) attacks by increasing detection and attribution risks. Following Mission Shakti (2019), India has steadily integrated surveillance and defence capabilities, focusing on non-offensive defensive measures.

Enhanced SSA also mitigates strategic vulnerabilities. Without it, India risks asymmetric coercion from technologically advanced adversaries. SSA strengthens resilience against both kinetic and cyber threats while enabling proportionate response options.

Its implications extend across domains. Secure positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), along with ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), support precision strikes and integrated air defence systems. As SSA matures, India is likely to shift from a reactive to a proactive deterrence posture.

CONGESTION, DUALITY, AND GOVERNANCE

Orbital congestion is a growing concern, with over 36,000 tracked debris objects posing risks to space operations. India’s framework mandates stringent mitigation measures, including near-total post-mission disposal. The militarisation of space further complicates the environment through ASAT testing and increased surveillance deployments.

SSA helps distinguish between benign and suspicious activities, reducing uncertainty. However, it also presents a strategic dilemma: while essential for safety, SSA capabilities can support targeting functions. India addresses this duality by framing SSA primarily as a safety and sustainability tool while retaining strategic flexibility.

This approach aligns with global norm-building efforts such as UN transparency and confidence-building measures, allowing India to project responsibility without compromising autonomy.

GLOBAL COMPARISON

Globally, SSA frameworks vary:

• United States: A decentralised, technology-driven model involving multiple stakeholders (NASA, DoD, FAA, private sector) under Space Policy Directive-3.
• European Union: A collaborative model led by ESA and EUSPA, featuring shared sensor networks and multinational coordination.

India’s model differs by prioritising national security and regulatory oversight over decentralised innovation or multinational coordination. While aligned with global standards, it reflects a more state-driven approach.

CAPABILITY GAP AND CHINA FACTOR

India continues to lag behind China in SSA capabilities. Its current systems are regionally focused, with limited real-time ISR capacity and no dedicated SSA constellation. In contrast, China operates a mature, multi-layered space infrastructure with advanced optical, radar, and electronic intelligence capabilities, enabling continuous monitoring and autonomous collision avoidance.

However, initiatives like IS4OM and NETRA mark India’s transition towards an indigenous, future-ready space surveillance ecosystem, reducing dependence on external data sources.

THE WAY FORWARD

India’s SSA policy represents an inflection point in its space governance evolution. By integrating safety, security, and commercial considerations within a single framework, it addresses challenges of congestion, collision risk, and strategic competition.

Phased implementation will be essential to balance regulatory compliance with innovation. The role of private industry will be critical in building resilient capabilities and expanding SSA infrastructure.

Ultimately, SSA will define India’s ability to safeguard its space assets, deter hostile actions, and shape emerging global norms. By combining transparency with deterrence, India is positioning itself as a credible and responsible actor in an increasingly contested orbital domain.

(Air Marshal Anil Khosla (R), Former Vice Chief, Indian Air Force. Researcher & Analyst Distinguished Fellow – USI & CAPS. The views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The News Analytics Herald.)