Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C37)

It was launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) into space in 2017:
It broke the previous record of 37 satellites launched by a Russian Dnepr rocket in 2014.
Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
Payload:
- The primary payload was Cartosat-2D, an Earth observation satellite.
- The secondary payloads included 103 nanosatellites, including two from India and 101 from other countries.
Re-entry:
- The upper stage of the PSLV-C37 re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on October 6, 2024, after nearly eight years in space.
- This event demonstrated India’s commitment to responsible space practices and debris mitigation.
- It was regularly tracked by ISRO System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM) & the U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM)
- Atmospheric re-entry of the rocket body is fully compliant with the international debris mitigation guidelines of Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC).

Related Bodies

ISRO’s System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM)

IS4OM is an initiative by ISRO focused on ensuring safe and sustainable operations in space.
Functions:
- Monitoring Orbital Decay: Regularly tracking defunct satellites and rocket stages to predict their re-entry.
- Space Debris Management: Implementing strategies to mitigate space debris and ensure that defunct objects do not pose risks to active satellites or human activities in space.
- Collaboration with International Entities: Working with organisations like the U.S. Space Command to share information about objects in orbit.

U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM)

● It is a unified command of the U.S. Armed Forces responsible for conducting operations in outer space.
Functions:
- Tracking Objects in Space: Monitoring satellites and debris to ensure safe operations for military and civilian assets.
- Providing Data: Sharing tracking data with international partners and organisations to enhance global space situational awareness.

Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC)

It is an inter-governmental forum established in 1993 aimed at coordinating efforts to address space debris issues.
Functions:
- Information Exchange: Facilitating communication among member space agencies regarding space debris research and mitigation strategies.
- Debris Mitigation Guidelines: Developing recommendations for managing space debris, which include:
  - Limiting debris released during normal operations.
  - Minimising potential on-orbit breakups.
  - Planning for post-mission disposal of spacecraft.
Members of IADC: NASA (USA), ESA (European Space Agency), ISRO (India), CNSA (China National Space Administration), JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)