{"id":11257,"date":"2026-03-01T12:10:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T06:40:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/55nda.com\/blogs\/anil-khosla\/?p=11257"},"modified":"2026-03-01T12:10:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T06:40:19","slug":"789-security-perspective-of-indias-draft-space-situational-awareness-rules","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/55nda.com\/blogs\/anil-khosla\/2026\/03\/01\/789-security-perspective-of-indias-draft-space-situational-awareness-rules\/","title":{"rendered":"789: SECURITY PERSPECTIVE OF INDIA\u2019S DRAFT SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS RULES"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Article published in the Mar 26 edition of “The News Analytics Journal”.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Outer space is rapidly undergoing a profound transformation. This is being driven by technological advancement, commercial participation, and strategic competition. Mega-constellations, dual-use technologies, and the accumulation of space debris now characterise the orbital environment. These developments have heightened the necessity of Space Situational Awareness (SSA). \u00a0SSA is defined as the capability to detect, track, and characterise space objects. It also assesses potential threats or collisions.<\/span><\/p>\n

India is reportedly drafting a comprehensive Space Situational Awareness (SSA) policy. The document aims to regulate the management of satellites and other objects in Earth’s orbit by tracking and monitoring them. It indicates India is moving from a space developmental program to an integrated space governance framework. With this institutionalised approach, India places itself as both a responsible space actor and an emerging rule-shaper in global space governance.<\/span><\/p>\n

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India’s Draft SSA Rules<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Space Situational Awareness enables safe space operations in a crowded environment. Tracking of satellites, space debris, and threats is essential. The Indian Space Policy 2023 advocated the development of SSA capabilities. It had assigned the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) as the key promoter for this task. IN-SPACe has now circulated India’s draft guidelines for industry feedback. The draft document mandates SSA compliance for mission authorisation. It also covers collision avoidance, debris mitigation, tracking, data sharing, cybersecurity, and audits throughout the space mission lifecycle.\u200b These rules mandate separate authorisations for space-based, ground-based, and platform sensors. They also mandate strict data governance, including encryption. They include a provision for government access for security purposes. Industry groups have urged a phased rollout, risk-based security, and dialogue to balance innovation and compliance.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Key Components of India’s SSA Framework.<\/u> Key components of the SSA include the following: –<\/span><\/p>\n