India has achieved a historic milestone as Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1 successfully launched multiple payloads into low Earth orbit, becoming the country's first privately built rocket to reach space. The breakthrough places India among a select group of nations with private orbital launch capabilities, marking a major boost for the country's growing commercial space sector and its ambitions to become a global space powerhouse by 2030.


India's first private rocket vikram-1 reaches orbit | skyroot creates history in space race

India's first private rocket Vikram-1 reaches Orbit | Skyroot creates history in space race


In today's top world news: India creates history as Skyroot Aerospace's Vikram-1, the country's first privately developed orbital rocket, successfully reaches low Earth orbit. Iran reportedly targets another power facility in Kuwait, while Bahrain claims it intercepted Iranian attacks. Iraq signs 48 agreements with American companies during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani's US visit. Meanwhile, gold prices remain on track for their biggest weekly decline in six weeks.

India's Vikram-1 launch | Iran attacks | Iraq-US deals | Gold prices fall

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has revealed a stark reality of modern space operations: Earth’s orbit is becoming increasingly crowded and hazardous. According to the Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) 2025, the number of objects in orbit continues to surge, driven by unprecedented global launch activity and satellite deployments. In 2025 alone, 4,651 objects were placed in orbit, showing the scale of congestion.&nbsp;“A total of 4651 objects were added to the space object population in this year in a significant rise compared to the previous years- the space object population increased by 2963 objects from 254 launches in 2024 and 3135 objects from 212 launches in 2023 ”, the report noted.&nbsp;This congestion has led to a sharp rise in “close approach alerts”, warnings issued when two objects come dangerously near each other. ISRO noted that such alerts are now frequent, reflecting what it described as an “alarmingly rising congestion” in low-Earth orbit. The situation is compounded by space debris travelling at speeds of nearly 28,000 km/h, where even minute fragments can threaten operational satellites.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sam-altman-s-coding-abilities-are-minimal-yet-he-runs-openai-he-s-not-alone-these-top-tech-bosses-have-limited-it-skills-1776327018838">Sam Altman's coding abilities are minimal, yet he runs OpenAI. He's not alone. These top tech bosses have limited IT skills</a><h3>Collision avoidance and critical interventions</h3>Against this backdrop, ISRO has had to actively manoeuvre its satellites to prevent disasters. The report confirms that multiple collision avoidance manoeuvres (CAMs) were executed, including fourteen in low-Earth orbit and four in geostationary orbit, a total of 18. Earlier data also showed that ISRO successfully averted ten potential collisions in a single year, highlighting the scale of the threat. In a recent press release, PIB wrote that a total of 129 trackable space debris originating from Indian satellite missions are in orbit.&nbsp;

Cumulative number of CAMs performed since 2011

&nbsp;&nbsp;Significantly, key missions such as NISAR and Chandrayaan-2 experienced close calls in orbit, requiring timely intervention. NISAR, a joint NASA-ISRO Earth observation mission launched on July 30, 2025, and the Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter both faced potential risks from nearby objects. For Chandrayaan-2, ISRO carried out 16 trajectory corrections to maintain safety, with two instances requiring revised plans to better avoid close approaches. These manoeuvres are precisely calculated to protect satellites without affecting mission objectives.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/are-your-ai-chats-with-chatgpt-and-claude-private-us-lawyers-warn-they-could-be-used-against-you-in-court-1776265771926">Are your chats with ChatGPT and Claude private? US lawyers warn that AI conversations could be used against you in court</a>&nbsp;ISRO’s space situational awareness programme continuously tracks thousands of objects, issuing alerts and assessing risks in real time. As the agency states, this capability is essential “to protect national space assets from hazards”, including debris and inactive satellites.&nbsp;The report also said, “Out of the 10749 Starlink satellites, 9396 satellites were still in orbit and 1353 satellites re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere by the end of 2025.”<h3>Strategic response to a growing threat</h3>The findings underline a broader challenge: orbital sustainability. With over 140 Indian satellites, many in the most crowded low-Earth orbit, the risk of collision is structurally higher. To address this, ISRO is strengthening indigenous systems such as Project NETRA, designed to track and predict debris movement.&nbsp;The report ultimately serves as both a progress update and a warning. While ISRO’s timely interventions have prevented catastrophic collisions, the increasing density of space traffic signals an urgent need for global coordination, improved tracking systems, and stricter debris mitigation practices.&nbsp;

The report confirms that multiple collision avoidance manoeuvres (CAMs) were executed, including fourteen in low-Earth orbit and four in geostationary orbit, a total of 18. 

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has revealed a stark reality of modern space operations: Earth’s orbit is becoming increasingly crowded and hazardous. According to the Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) 2025, the number of objects in orbit continues to surge, driven by unprecedented global launch activity and satellite deployments. In 2025 alone, 4,651 objects were placed in orbit, showing the scale of congestion. “A total of 4651 objects were added to the space object population in this year in a significant rise compared to the previous years- the space object population increased by 2963 objects from 254 launches in 2024 and 3135 objects from 212 launches in 2023 ”, the report noted. This congestion has led to a sharp rise in “close approach alerts”, warnings issued when two objects come dangerously near each other. ISRO noted that such alerts are now frequent, reflecting what it described as an “alarmingly rising congestion” in low-Earth orbit. The situation is compounded by space debris travelling at speeds of nearly 28,000 km/h, where even minute fragments can threaten operational satellites. ALSO READ: Sam Altman's coding abilities are minimal, yet he runs OpenAI. He's not alone. These top tech bosses have limited IT skills Collision avoidance and critical interventions Against this backdrop, ISRO has had to actively manoeuvre its satellites to prevent disasters. The report confirms that multiple collision avoidance manoeuvres (CAMs) were executed, including fourteen in low-Earth orbit and four in geostationary orbit, a total of 18. Earlier data also showed that ISRO successfully averted ten potential collisions in a single year, highlighting the scale of the threat. In a recent press release, PIB wrote that a total of 129 trackable space debris originating from Indian satellite missions are in orbit.

The report confirms that multiple collision avoidance manoeuvres (CAMs) were executed, including fourteen in low-Earth orbit and four in geostationary orbit, a total of 18.&nbsp;

ISRO averts multiple collision threats: NISAR, Chandrayaan-2 face close orbital encounters amid rising space debris

Unlike traditional space capsules, Arc is designed for rapid deployment, with the capability to reach any location on Earth within an hour.

Unlike traditional space capsules, Arc is designed for rapid deployment, with the capability to reach any location on Earth within an hour.

'From orbit to anywhere on Earth in 60 mins': What is Arc, the hypersonic space delivery game-changer?

As of 2025, two space stations are actively orbiting Earth with fully operational life support systems. The International Space Station (ISS) has been continuously inhabited since November 2000, serving as a hub for international scientific research and collaboration. 

As of 2025, two space stations are actively orbiting Earth with fully operational life support systems. The International Space Station (ISS) has been continuously inhabited since November 2000, serving as a hub for international scientific research and collaboration.&nbsp;

How many space stations orbit Earth today? 5 most famous stations that defined space exploration

This transition marks a pivotal moment in space exploration, with several countries and companies stepping up to fill the void left by the ISS.

This transition marks a pivotal moment in space exploration, with several countries and companies stepping up to fill the void left by the ISS.

Next-generation space stations: How many countries are racing to replace the ISS?

2,000+ active satellites, 3,000+ defunct satellites, Junk is whizzing around in low-Earth orbit. Has space become the Earth's dustbin? Watch what experts have to say on WION Wideangle.

Space: The Earth's Dustbin?

low-earth-orbit

Low Earth Orbit, News on Low Earth Orbit, stories on Low Earth Orbit, articles on Low Earth Orbit, Low Earth Orbit stories at Wion, Low Earth Orbit news, Low Earth Orbit latest news

low earth-orbit

India's first private rocket Vikram-1 reaches Orbit | Skyroot creates history in space race

India's Vikram-1 launch | Iran attacks | Iraq-US deals | Gold prices fall

ISRO averts multiple collisions in space: NISAR, Chandrayaan-2 face close calls

'Anywhere on Earth in 60 mins': What is Arc, the space delivery game-changer?

5 most famous stations that defined space exploration

How many countries are racing to replace the ISS?

Space: The Earth's Dustbin?