Abstract
Orbital debris in low Earth orbit (LEO) are now sufficiently dense that the use of LEO space is threatened by runaway collision cascading. A problem predicted more than thirty years ago, the threat from debris larger than about 1 cm demands serious attention. A promising proposed solution uses a high power pulsed laser system on the Earth to make plasma jets on the objects, slowing them slightly, and causing them to re-enter and burn up in the atmosphere. In this paper, we reassess this approach in light of recent advances in low-cost, light-weight modular design for large mirrors, calculations of laser-induced orbit changes and in design of repetitive, multi-kilojoules lasers, that build on inertial fusion research. These advances now suggest that laser orbital debris removal (LODR) is the most cost-effective way to mitigate the debris problem. No other solutions have been proposed that address the whole problem of large and small debris. A LODR system will have multiple uses beyond debris removal. International cooperation will be essential for building and operating such a system.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1283-1300 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Advances in Space Research |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue number | 9 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 1 2012 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Adaptive optics
- Laser ablation
- Orbital debris removal
- Phase conjugation
- Segmented mirror design
- Space debris
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Aerospace Engineering
- Space and Planetary Science
Cite this
Removing orbital debris with lasers. / Phipps, Claude R.; Baker, Kevin L.; Libby, Stephen B.; Liedahl, Duane A.; Olivier, Scot S.; Pleasance, Lyn D.; Rubenchik, Alexander; Trebes, James E.; Victor George, E.; Marcovici, Bogdan; Reilly, James P.; Valley, Michael T.
In: Advances in Space Research, Vol. 49, No. 9, 01.05.2012, p. 1283-1300.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Removing orbital debris with lasers
AU - Phipps, Claude R.
AU - Baker, Kevin L.
AU - Libby, Stephen B.
AU - Liedahl, Duane A.
AU - Olivier, Scot S.
AU - Pleasance, Lyn D.
AU - Rubenchik, Alexander
AU - Trebes, James E.
AU - Victor George, E.
AU - Marcovici, Bogdan
AU - Reilly, James P.
AU - Valley, Michael T.
PY - 2012/5/1
Y1 - 2012/5/1
N2 - Orbital debris in low Earth orbit (LEO) are now sufficiently dense that the use of LEO space is threatened by runaway collision cascading. A problem predicted more than thirty years ago, the threat from debris larger than about 1 cm demands serious attention. A promising proposed solution uses a high power pulsed laser system on the Earth to make plasma jets on the objects, slowing them slightly, and causing them to re-enter and burn up in the atmosphere. In this paper, we reassess this approach in light of recent advances in low-cost, light-weight modular design for large mirrors, calculations of laser-induced orbit changes and in design of repetitive, multi-kilojoules lasers, that build on inertial fusion research. These advances now suggest that laser orbital debris removal (LODR) is the most cost-effective way to mitigate the debris problem. No other solutions have been proposed that address the whole problem of large and small debris. A LODR system will have multiple uses beyond debris removal. International cooperation will be essential for building and operating such a system.
AB - Orbital debris in low Earth orbit (LEO) are now sufficiently dense that the use of LEO space is threatened by runaway collision cascading. A problem predicted more than thirty years ago, the threat from debris larger than about 1 cm demands serious attention. A promising proposed solution uses a high power pulsed laser system on the Earth to make plasma jets on the objects, slowing them slightly, and causing them to re-enter and burn up in the atmosphere. In this paper, we reassess this approach in light of recent advances in low-cost, light-weight modular design for large mirrors, calculations of laser-induced orbit changes and in design of repetitive, multi-kilojoules lasers, that build on inertial fusion research. These advances now suggest that laser orbital debris removal (LODR) is the most cost-effective way to mitigate the debris problem. No other solutions have been proposed that address the whole problem of large and small debris. A LODR system will have multiple uses beyond debris removal. International cooperation will be essential for building and operating such a system.
KW - Adaptive optics
KW - Laser ablation
KW - Orbital debris removal
KW - Phase conjugation
KW - Segmented mirror design
KW - Space debris
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84858998399&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84858998399&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.asr.2012.02.003
DO - 10.1016/j.asr.2012.02.003
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84858998399
VL - 49
SP - 1283
EP - 1300
JO - Advances in Space Research
JF - Advances in Space Research
SN - 0273-1177
IS - 9
ER -