From space junk to smart orbits: How AI is preventing satellite collisions

The rapid build-up of space debris in Earth’s orbit is raising serious concerns among scientists and satellite operators, who warn that unchecked congestion could trigger the dangerous phenomenon known as Kessler Syndrome, a chain reaction of collisions that could make key orbital zones unusable for decades.

Even tiny fragments of junk, travelling at speeds of more than 28,000 km per hour , can destroy active satellites on impact. Industry estimates suggest that over one million debris objects measuring one centimetre or larger are currently circling the Earth, posing a constant threat to spacecraft and billion-dollar missions .

To address this growing risk, space engineers in India and worldwide are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to track debris and predict potential collisions. Companies such as Digantara Industries use AI-driven software to monitor the movement of active and defunct satellites, fragments from earlier launches and other objects in orbit.

“There are more than 15 close-proximity warnings for a single small satellite every year,” said Digantara founder and CEO Anirudh Sharma. “As orbital congestion increases , the chances of collisions rise sharply. AI allows us to detect changes in orbital behaviour and assess risks well in advance.”

Experts warn that repeated crashes could lead to Kessler Syndrome, where debris from one collision generates more debris, creating a self-sustaining cascade of hazards. Such a scenario could disrupt communication networks, navigation services, weather forecasting systems and Earth observation missions that modern societies rely on.

To minimise this threat, AI models are now being deployed to forecast debris movement days ahead and recommend evasive manoeuvres for satellites. These systems process vast amounts of data, analysing millions of orbital paths simultaneously to calculate the probability of impact.

India’s expanding focus on space situational awareness reflects the urgency of the problem. Lt Gen A K Bhatt (retd), Director General of the Indian Space Association , said trustworthy AI has become a safety imperative as orbital traffic continues to rise.

Beyond debris tracking, AI is also transforming how satellite data is processed. Bengaluru-based Pixxel Space uses AI to analyse satellite imagery for changes linked to agriculture, border security, pollution and infrastructure monitoring .

“Satellite imagery produces petabytes of data that no human can review manually,” said Pixxel founder and CEO Awais Ahmed. “AI can detect the smallest changes and convert raw data into actionable insights.”

A major shift now underway is the move toward space-based data centres , where computing systems are installed directly on satellites. Powered by free solar energy in orbit , these platforms can analyse data on-board and transmit only final reports to Earth, instead of massive raw datasets. This significantly reduces energy consumption on the ground and makes AI-driven applications less resource-intensive .

The next stage of innovation is the development of autonomous satellites . AI-enabled spacecraft will be capable of detecting nearby debris and automatically performing collision-avoidance manoeuvres without waiting for instructions from ground stations. Digantara is working on algorithms that allow satellites to communicate with each other and coordinate evasive actions.

“ Autonomous satellite operations will be critical to ensuring sustainable orbits,” Sharma said. “Within the next five years, this will become a necessity rather than a luxury.”

Industry leaders agree that AI is fast becoming the operational backbone of the space economy . From preventing collisions and avoiding Kessler Syndrome to reducing energy demands through space-based computing , artificial intelligence is redefining how satellites are designed, managed and protected.

As the number of spacecraft in orbit continues to surge, experts caution that without intelligent systems to manage debris and congestion , the long-term sustainability of near-Earth space could be at risk. AI-driven autonomy and energy-efficient space data centres may now offer the strongest defence against a future crowded with invisible but lethal space junk.