NASA proposes using lasers and sweepers to deal with space junk

Our planet has a huge space debris problem. Of space disasters in the “worst case” toward The International Space Station has to constantly move out of the way of space debristhe space debris crisis has caused Concern of governments and companies.just like him scientific community.

writing in the diary ScienceScientists have called for a legally binding international treaty to govern satellite deployment, drawing inspiration from the recently ratified UN High Seas Treaty.

The scientists propose that such an agreement should implement the responsibility of the producer and user of satellites and debris from the moment they are launched. In addition, according to them, the agreement must take into account the commercial costs of these responsibilities and must incentivize accountability.

But not producing more space junk is only solving part of the problem. What about the space junk that’s already out there? NASA is looking at two solutions, and one of them is literally using ground or space lasers.

Using lasers to clean up space junk

Lasers can exert force on debris in space without making any physical contact. In its report, NASA focused on two different laser technologies to help manage space debris from a distance: photon pressure and ablation.

Using photon pressure on space junk

Using photon pressure technology, the lasers push the debris away to ensure no collisions occur. A photon is an elementary particle that represents a “quantum of light” and therefore has no mass.

But while photons are massless, they do carry a small amount of momentum. When a photon (or light, essentially) bounces off an object, it transfers a small amount of that momentum to the object.

The thrust that comes from this method is too small to push any kind of debris out of orbit, but it is enough to help move it away from a collision.

Ablation: Using a Powerful Laser to Cut Out Space Junk

With the ablation method, a more powerful laser will be used to hit space debris and “ablate” or erode it. When this happens, the scrap piece will eject material from one side, creating a push in the opposite direction and causing it to move. According to NASA, this ejected material will be a combination of hot gas and plasma and therefore should not contribute new debris to the environment.

Compared to the photon pressure method, ablation requires more powerful laser beams and much higher precision. Simulations conducted by the space agency indicate that this method can be used to deorbit debris rather than simply redirect it.

Space or ground based laser

If a laser is to be used to deal with space debris, the next step is to decide whether it should be a ground-based or space-based solution. One disadvantage of a space-based laser compared to one on the ground is that it will be able to generate much less power because it must produce all of that power while in orbit.

But using it also has advantages. One of them is the fact that the beam from a space-based laser will not pass through the atmosphere, which means it will lose less energy. The chances of the beam being distorted are also less, allowing you to be more precise.

Also, since a space-based laser will be much closer to the debris in question, it will be easier to precisely target the debris to achieve the intended consequence, either deorbit or ablate it.

Using a sweeper spaceship

If using space lasers to annihilate objects in orbit is too much science fiction for you, NASA is also considering a concept that’s a bit tamer in its inspiration: using a sweeper.

These sweepers will be large orbiting “shields” that will reduce the amount of space debris by capturing, slowing, or disarming it. This method will be especially useful for debris that is too small to track.

Such a sweeper can be made from a variety of possible materials, including aerogels, foams, clothing, or fabrics. The material itself may need to be a bit flexible because otherwise there’s a chance it could send debris flying in different directions, exacerbating the problem rather than solving it.

Since NASA is primarily considering the use of such a sweeping solution for small and medium-sized debris that cannot be tracked, may have an active propulsion mechanism, or may move passively. This should be broken down based on how well such a sweeper can maneuver away from larger tracked debris while continuing to affect smaller debris.