Laser requirements for the removal of space debris from orbit

Wolfgang O. Schall

doi:10.1117/12.334466

22 December 1998 Laser requirements for the removal of space debris from orbit

Wolfgang O. Schall

Proceedings Volume 3574, XII International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers and High-Power Laser Conference; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.334466
Event: Twelfth International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers and High-Power Laser Conference, 1998, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

Abstract

Space debris at low Earth orbits (LEO) in the size range of 1 to 10 cm in diameter poses a severe threat on the International Space Station and other valuable space assets. High-power laser radiation may be the most feasible means to mitigate this problem. Under the irradiation of a high-power laser beam part of the debris material is ablated and provides an impuls to the debris fragment. Proper direction of the impulse vector allows either to deflect the object trajectory to miss the station (defense option) or to reduce the orbital energy of the debris and force it on a trajectory through the upper atmosphere. There the debris burns up instantaneously or after a few revolutions (cleaning option for LEO). A space based deployment of the laser is favored for several reasons: The lack of laser transmission through the atmosphere reduces the total system substantially, laser range and detection requirements are inferior and the laser can be used against an immediate collision threat. Peculiarities of the geometrical situation in the orbital plane are described briefly. Based on a pulsed laser of 100 kW average power, aluminum and carbon as typical materials, and some other assumptions, the capability and limitations with respect to the debris velocity and mass are calculated for both options of the laser utilization.

Citation Download Citation

Wolfgang O. Schall "Laser requirements for the removal of space debris from orbit", Proc. SPIE 3574, XII International Symposium on Gas Flow and Chemical Lasers and High-Power Laser Conference, (22 December 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.334466

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available