Laser-based removal of irregularly shaped space debris

Abstract

, "Laser-based removal of irregularly shaped space debris," Opt. Eng. 56(1), 011007 (2016), doi: 10.1117/1.OE.56.1.011007. Abstract. While the feasibility of laser space debris removal by high energy lasers has been shown in concept studies and laboratory proofs of principle, we address the question of the effectiveness and responsibility associated with this technique. The large variety of debris shapes poses a challenge for predicting amount and direction of the impulse imparted to the target. We present a numerical code that considers variation of fluence throughout the target surface with respect to the resulting local momentum coupling. Simple targets as well as an example for realistic space debris are investigated with respect to momentum generation. The predictability of the imparted momentum is analyzed in a Monte Carlo study. It was found that slight variations of the initial debris position and orientation may yield large differences of the modified trajectories. We identify highly cooperative targets, e.g., spheres, as well as targets that are strongly sensitive to orientation, e.g., plates, and exhibit a poor performance in laser debris removal. Despite limited predictability for the motion of a particular debris object, the laser-based approach appears to be suitable for space debris removal, albeit not with a deterministic but rather with a probabilistic treatment of the resulting trajectory modifications.

The Legal Framework for Space Debris Remediation as a Tool for Sustainability in Outer Space

“…Moreover, the concept of laser debris removal foresees installing plasma jets on objects in order to enable controlled re-entry [55][56][57].…”

Momentum predictability and heat accumulation in laser-based space debris removal

“…Therefore, we analyzed laser-induced momentum coupling on irregularly shaped targets in our previous paper. 12 Meanwhile, also an experimental validation of those numerical calculations has been carried out with realistic, cm-sized target geometries. 13 The main outcome of our analyses was that a notable fraction of the imparted momentum can be found in the plane perpendicular to the laser-beam propagation axis, cf.…”

A year in review

“…According to the Web of Science, three were in the laser damage special section, describing laser damage tests for femtosecond laser coatings, 11 laser-induced damage by picosecond pulses on petawatt-class laser coatings, 12 and laser-based removal of space debris. 13 The active electro-optical sensing special section included top-cited papers on hyperentanglement 14 and deep turbulence wavefront sensing, 15 while papers on anisoplanatic imaging through turbulence 9 (the only top-ten downloaded and cited) and atmospheric turbulence mitigation algorithms 16 from the long-range imaging special section were part of the list. The remainder included a paper on extended wavelength infrared photodetectors 17 from the infrared detectors special section, along with regular papers on binary holograms for depth visualization 18 and channel capacity of optical data links.…”