The feasibility and practicality of using a ground-based laser (GBL) to remove artificial space debris is examined. Physical constraints indicate that a reactor-pumped laser (RPL) may be best suited for this mission, because of its capabilities for multimegawatt output long run-times, and near-diffraction-limited initial beams. Simulations of a laser-powered debris removal system indicate that a 5-MW RPL with a 10-meter-diameter beam director and adaptive optics capabilities can deorbit 1-kg debris from space station altitudes. Larger debris can be deorbited or transferred to safer orbits after multiple laser engagements. A ground-based laser system may be the only realistic way to access and remove some 10,000 separate objects, having velocities in the neighborhood of 7 km/sec, and being spatially distributed over some 10(sup 10) km(sup 3) of space.


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    Titel :

    Space debris removal using a high-power ground-based laser


    Beteiligte:
    D. K. Monroe (Autor:in)

    Erscheinungsdatum :

    1993


    Format / Umfang :

    20 pages


    Medientyp :

    Report


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch






    Space Debris Removal Using a Ground-Based High-Power Laser System

    Monroe, D. / Zazworsky, R. / American Nuclear Society; Eastern Idaho Section | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1992



    Ground-Based Laser Propulsion for Orbital Debris Removal

    Campbell, J. W. / Taylor, C. R. / University of New Mexico; School of Engineering; Institute for Space and Nuclear Power Studies | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1998