UPSC CARE Mains Practice 1st April 2026
Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. Space governance is facing increasing challenges in the era of rapid commercialization and orbital congestion. Discuss the limitations of existing frameworks and suggest measures for ensuring sustainable and responsible use of outer space. (15 M)
- Q. The Artemis II mission marks a significant milestone in human space exploration. Examine its significance in the context of renewed global interest in lunar missions and discuss its implications for international cooperation and India’s space ambitions. (15 M)
Q. Space governance is facing increasing challenges in the era of rapid commercialization and orbital congestion. Discuss the limitations of existing frameworks and suggest measures for ensuring sustainable and responsible use of outer space. (15 M)
(GS Paper III – Science & Technology – Space Technology, Awareness in IT & Space, Security Challenges)
Introduction:
Space governance refers to the framework of international treaties, national laws, and regulatory norms governing human activities in outer space. With the rapid expansion of private space actors, increasing satellite launches, and growing orbital debris, existing mechanisms such as the Outer Space Treaty (1967) are proving inadequate. As a result, outer space is increasingly becoming a fragile and contested global commons requiring stronger and adaptive governance.
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1. Limitations of Existing Space Governance Frameworks
Verification Gap: There is no effective mechanism to verify whether operators comply with debris mitigation and satellite disposal commitments, leading to reliance on self-declarations.
Debris Tracking Limitations: A large volume of small yet highly destructive debris remains untracked, increasing risks of sudden collisions.
Information Asymmetry: Unequal access to orbital data due to commercial secrecy and national security concerns restricts global coordination.
Outdated Legal Frameworks: Existing treaties were framed in a state-dominated era and do not adequately regulate private actors and mega-constellations.
Regulatory Arbitrage: Companies exploit lenient jurisdictions to bypass strict regulatory requirements.
Weak Enforcement: Current frameworks depend largely on voluntary compliance rather than binding obligations.
2. Implications of Weak Space Governance
Increased Collision Risks: Congested orbits raise the probability of accidents affecting operational satellites.
Threat to Global Services: Disruptions can impact communication, GPS, and weather forecasting systems.
Long-term Environmental Damage: Debris accumulation may trigger cascading collisions (Kessler Syndrome).
Inequitable Access: Dominance by advanced nations and corporations may limit access for developing countries.
Strategic Risks: Weak governance may intensify militarisation and geopolitical competition in space.
3. Way Forward
Standardisation of Licensing Norms: Develop uniform global standards to eliminate regulatory loopholes.
Mandatory Data Sharing: Establish binding frameworks for sharing orbital data and improving situational awareness.
Enforceable Debris Mitigation: Introduce measurable and verifiable disposal requirements.
Integration of Environmental Principles: Apply sustainability and precautionary principles to space governance.
Strengthening Multilateral Cooperation: Promote coordinated global governance through international institutions.
India’s Role: India can lead by formulating robust national legislation ensuring responsible and sustainable space activities.
Conclusion:
As outer space shifts from a vast frontier to a congested and vulnerable domain, reliance on outdated and voluntary governance frameworks is no longer sustainable. A transition towards enforceable, transparent, and cooperative global mechanisms is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability and equitable use of space.
Q. The Artemis II mission marks a significant milestone in human space exploration. Examine its significance in the context of renewed global interest in lunar missions and discuss its implications for international cooperation and India’s space ambitions. (15 M)
(GS Paper III – Science & Technology – Space Technology, Space Missions, International Cooperation)
Introduction:
The Artemis II mission, led by NASA, represents the first crewed mission to the Moon’s vicinity since Apollo 17 (1972). As part of the Artemis programme, it aims to test advanced space systems such as the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft. This mission signifies a transition from short-term lunar visits to long-term and sustainable human presence in space, marking a new phase in global space exploration.
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1. Significance of Artemis II Mission
The mission marks humanity’s return to the lunar vicinity after more than five decades, symbolizing renewed technological and exploratory ambition.
- It is the first crewed test of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, validating life-support systems and deep-space travel capabilities essential for future missions.
- By travelling nearly 6,500 km beyond the Moon’s far side, it will take humans farther into space than ever before, pushing the boundaries of exploration.
- The mission also lays the foundation for future lunar landings, including planned missions aiming for sustained human presence and eventual Moon bases.
2. Implications for Global Space Race and Cooperation
- Artemis II reflects a shift from the earlier US–USSR space rivalry to a multipolar space race involving countries like China, India, and Japan.
- The Artemis programme promotes international collaboration through frameworks like the Artemis Accords, encouraging peaceful and sustainable use of space.
- It also integrates private players and academia, indicating the commercialization and democratization of space exploration.
- At the same time, it intensifies strategic competition, particularly with China’s parallel lunar ambitions, thereby shaping the geopolitical dynamics of outer space.
3.Implications for India’s Space Ambitions
- India, as a signatory to the Artemis Accords, stands to benefit from enhanced cooperation with NASA and other partners.
- Missions like Artemis II provide opportunities for technological collaboration, knowledge sharing, and participation in global space governance frameworks.
- India’s own ambitions, including a planned human Moon landing by 2040, can gain momentum through such partnerships.
- Additionally, collaboration in missions like NISAR highlights India’s growing role as both a collaborator and competitor in the evolving lunar race.
Conclusion:
The Artemis II mission represents not only a technological milestone but also a strategic turning point in global space exploration. By fostering international collaboration while intensifying competition, it sets the stage for sustained human presence on the Moon. For India, it offers both opportunities and challenges, making it imperative to strengthen domestic capabilities while actively engaging in global space initiatives.
