Removing orbital debris with pulsed lasers

Abstract

Orbital debris in low Earth orbit (LEO) are now sufficiently dense that the use of LEO space is threatened by runaway collisional cascading. A problem predicted more than thirty years ago, the threat from debris larger than about 1cm 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 segmented design for large mirrors, calculations of laser-induced orbit changes and in design of repetitive, multi-kilojoule lasers, that build on inertial fusion research. These advances now suggest that laser orbital debris removal (LODR) is the most costeffective 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.

Beam Quality of Annular Pulsed Laser Beams Propagating Through the Nonlinear and Dispersive Atmosphere

“…Rubenchik et al proposed that the turbulence effect can be greatly reduced by placing the laser on a high mountain [5]. In practice, the adaptive optics system with a laser guidestar can be applied to improve the beam quality on the target by compensating the wave front distortion caused by atmospheric turbulence [19] [33]- [34]. On the other hand, in the atmosphere the light extinction depends on the laser wavelength, which is another detrimental factor for laser ablation propulsion's applications in space.…”

“…It is known that CW lasers cannot reach the required intensity on the debris target [1] [18]. Furthermore, short pulses can reduce the cost [19]- [20]. Recently, our group investigated the propagation of pulsed laser beams through the inhomogeneous atmosphere, but only considered the Gaussian profile in both the space and time domains [21].…”

Dynamical study of low Earth orbit debris collision avoidance using ground based laser

“…The majority of these researches were based on vaporization or ablation of these small objects using different ground based laser systems in order to permit debris re-entry. However, building and operating of such systems are the most cost effective way to mitigate the debris problem (Phipps et al, 2012;Campbell et al, 2000;Choi and Pappa, 2012).…”

Reentry of Space Debris from Low Earth Orbit by Pulsed Nd:YAG Laser

“…In more than 50 years of spaceflight, over 30,000 t of satellites and rockets have been sent to space. It is estimated that near 3000 t of non-functioning space debris remain in [1,2].…”

“…Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in varied forms ranges from fragments to spent rocket bodies and fully intact multi-ton satellite [3]. Since 1957, more than 3500 launches have led to a current population of approximately 9000 tractable objects figure (1) [4,5]. More than 90% of these objects are space debris.…”