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) |
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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 |
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