ISRO Released ISSAR 2023 Report on Vulnerability of Space Assets to Collisions

Current Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has indeed released the Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2023 on 2nd May 2024.

• This report assesses the vulnerability of space assets to various environmental hazards such as asteroids, comets, and artificial objects, with the aim of ensuring safe and sustainable space operations.
• Here are some key points from the report:
• A total of 3,143 objects originating from 212 launches and on-orbit break-up events were added to the space object population in 2023, compared to 2,533 objects from 179 launches in 2022.
• Since the beginning of the Indian Space era, a total of 127 Indian satellites (including the satellites of private operators/academic institutions) have been launched till 31st December 2023.
• The number of operational satellites owned by the government of India is 22 in LEO and 29 in GEO.
• 8 Indian Satellites re-entered the atmosphere in 2023, among them Megha-Tropiques-1 underwent controlled re-entry through an immensely challenging exercise.
• All 7 launches of ISRO in 2023 were successful.
• ISRO carried out 23 Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres (CAMs) to save its satellites from harm by space debris.

Question:

Q.1 How many Indian satellites have been launched till 31st December 2023?
a. 100
b. 200
c. 150
d. 127