Scientists at NASA have proposed using a low-power, ground-based laser to prevent collisions between space debris and satellites, and potentially even reduce the amount of debris in orbit. Space debris orbiting Earth is a growing problem. Two years ago, a satellite owned by the company Iridium, based in McLean, Virginia, was shattered by a defunct Russian satellite at ten times the speed of a bullet, putting an end to the "big sky" theory, which assumed space was too vast for collision probabilities to matter. This incident alone produced over 1,700 pieces of debris, increasing the total amount by nearly 20%.
Space analysts are particularly concerned about the possible occurrence of the Kessler Syndrome, where enough debris exists to make collisions likely, creating a cascade effect that could render Earth's orbit uninhabitable for satellites.
NASA scientists have proposed using a ground-based laser to mitigate debris collisions. However, in their 'laser broom' concept, a powerful, megawatt-class laser would vaporize the surface of a piece of debris, causing it to recoil and move out of harm’s way. But some fear that this laser could be used as a weapon, as it could easily damage an enemy's active satellites.
Now, James Mason, a NASA contractor with the Universities Space Research Association in Moffett Field, California, and his colleagues have come up with a variation on the laser broom concept, which they claim is unlikely to be useful as a weapon. Mason and his team recommend using a medium-powered 5-10 kilowatt laser to illuminate debris a few times more intensely than sunlight, imparting just enough momentum to nudge the debris off course. "We think this scheme is possibly one of the least threatening ways to address a problem that needs addressing," Nature quotes Mason as saying.
In the researchers' proposal, a piece of debris at high risk of collision would be tracked by another laser and a telescope. As soon as the debris comes over the horizon, technicians would switch on the main laser and illuminate the debris until it reaches its highest point. If the debris does not divert far enough to avoid a collision the first time, the technicians would repeat the process for several days until the collision risk becomes negligible.
With only one laser facility, Mason's group says the number of debris pieces involved in collisions could almost be halved. By reducing the number of collisions, the amount of debris would also decrease as it slowly burns up in Earth's atmosphere. And avoiding the onset of the Kessler Syndrome would be key, say the researchers. (ANI)
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