The beam of a powerful neodymium glass laser is focused into a solid deuterium stick. The temperature of the created plasma is measured by Jahoda's X-ray absorption method. The electron temperature has been found to range up to 450 eV and exhibits a 2/3-power dependence on the power flux density. These results are in agreement with a theoretical model involving a strong shock and a deflagration front propagating inwards the D2 ice whereas the plasma expands in the vacuum towards the incoming beam.