IN-SPACe issues guidelines for planned re-entry of space objects

Published 29 July 2026 · india

The Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the single-window agency for all space-sector activities undertaken by private entities, has issued guidelines for the planned

The Indian Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), the single-window agency for all space-sector activities undertaken by private entities, has issued guidelines for the planned re-entry of space objects into the Earth’s atmosphere. A document titled ‘Norms, Guidelines and Procedures for Implementation of Indian Space Policy-2023 in Respect of Authorisation for Undertaking Planned Re-entry of Space Objects’, released on July 23, states that any planned re-entry of a space object by an Indian entity, whether within or outside Indian territory, requires authorisation from IN-SPACe. Similarly, non-Indian entities intending to undertake the planned re-entry of their space objects must obtain IN-SPACe authorisation through their India-incorporated entities.

Re-entry refers to the planned or unplanned return of a launched space object into the Earth’s atmosphere, with or without recovery. The new rules further state that only space objects designed to survive re-entry or those planned for re-entry will require authorisation from IN-SPACe, while objects that naturally re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere will not require such authorisation. “It is clarified that re-entry as part of a post-mission disposal plan, typically due to the natural decay of an orbit, wherein space objects are expected to burn up, melt, fragment, or otherwise be destroyed during atmospheric re-entry to the extent that surviving debris on the ground is minimised in mass, size, and number, shall not require a separate re-entry authorisation.

Thus, such re-entry will not warrant authorisation from IN-SPACe,” the guidelines add. It also states that re-entry must be undertaken in a manner that minimises risk to people, property and the environment on the ground, at sea and in airspace. “The re-entry shall be conducted in such a manner that the risk of expected casualties due to re-entry activity remains below 1 in 10,000 (threshold risk),” it says. Before undertaking a planned re-entry, entities must also obtain a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) from the relevant authorities at least 45 days before the scheduled start of the re-entry.

The new guidelines have been issued days after India achieved a major milestone in its space journey, with Vikram-1, the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket, being successfully launched into low Earth orbit.