Space Debris and Other Threats from Outer Space by Joseph N. Pelton

Author:Joseph N. Pelton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Springer New York, New York, NY

Technology

This approach is similar to the collision avoidance technique but would use higher-power laser systems that would be capable of firing gigawatt pulses at debris [20]. Small debris elements would be moved rather quickly to a new orbit that would decay due to the pull of gravity. In the case of larger derelict satellites, however, it would take a continuing array of pulses to push a large mass into a new orbit that would accomplish de-orbiting.

Level of Readiness and Feasibility

Such high gigawatt GBL systems, although developed in the lab, have not been operationally tested. Such a high-powered laser could clearly be used as a space weapon. A targeting system and actual laser pulsing mechanism needs to be operationally demonstrated to prove that such a system would work. Although this approach would be expensive and has not been operationally demonstrated, it is based on military research and a technique that could likely be implemented in just a few years’ times.

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