Removing orbital debris with lasers

Abstract

Abstract:OrbitaldebrisinlowEarthorbit(LEO)arenowsufficientlydensethatthe use of LEO space is threatened by runaway collisional cascading. A problem predictedmorethanthirtyyearsago,thethreatfromdebrislargerthanabout1cm demandsseriousattention.Apromisingproposedsolutionusesahighpowerpulsed lasersystemontheEarthtomakeplasmajetsontheobjects,slowingthemslightly, and causing them to re-enter and burn up in the atmosphere. In this paper, we reassessthisapproachinlightofrecentadvancesinlow-cost,light-weightmodular designforlargemirrors,calculationsoflaser-inducedorbitchangesandindesignof 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 proposedthataddressthewholeproblemoflargeandsmalldebris.ALODRsystem will have multiple uses beyond debris removal. International cooperation will be essentialforbuildingandoperatingsuchasystem.

Space Junk Cleaning Strategy and Portfolio Optimization Modeling

“…Bonnal has estimated a cost of 27M$ per large object (Bonnal,2009) for attaching deorbiting kits [3] , We will deal with this as a removal satellite debris cost. Due to the high cost of this approach applies only to special cases, so there is no N-t-x model analysis.…”

“…Space approximately exists 2,200 large debris ( diameter >= 100 cm) [3] , Another possible way to clear these large debris is active space debris removal technology. Bonnal has estimated a cost of 27M$ per large object (Bonnal,2009) for attaching deorbiting kits [3] , We will deal with this as a removal satellite debris cost.…”

The Capturing of Space Debris with a Spaceborne Multi-fingered Gripper

“…Some other methods have also been proposed and studied, such as the laser method [8], etc. Although many studies have been done on space debris removal, however, to find a safe, reliable and efficient method still has a long way to go.…”

Vision-based Ground Test for Active Debris Removal

“…The methods that have been studied include a method which induces de-orbiting by attaching a tether, which has been conducted by the electromagnetic force around the Earth, to space debris (Nishida et al 2009), a method which induces the de-orbiting of space debris using an ion-beam and a laser from the Earth's surface or on the orbit (Merino et al 2011, Phipps et al 2012), a method which induces de-orbiting by deploying a sail loaded on a satellite and by receiving the solar wind (Stohlman & Lappas 2013), and a method which uses a capture system that removes a single or multiple pieces of small space debris using a robot-arm or nets (Benvenuto & Carta 2013, Richard et al 2013.…”