Space Station Could Get Laser Cannon to Destroy Orbital Debris

[RandySF]

The International Space Station could one day get armed with a laser to shoot down orbiting debris, researchers say.

This concept could eventually lead to a laser-firing satellite that could get rid of a large percentage of the most troublesome space junk orbiting Earth, scientists added.

NASA researchers suggest that nearly 3,000 tons of space debris reside in low-Earth orbit, including derelict satellites, rocket bodies and parts and tiny bits of wreckage produced by collisions involving larger objects. Impacts from pieces of junk that are only the size of screws can still inflict catastrophic damage on satellites, since these projectiles can travel at speeds on the order of 22,370 mph (36,000 km/h).

The problem of space debris is growing as more satellites and spacecraft get sent into space. Moreover, large pieces of junk can generate lots of small fragments if they get hit, and those fragments can then go on to strike other objects in orbit for a chain reaction of destruction.




http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/space-station-could-get-laser-cannon-to-destroy-orbital-debris/ar-BBjUyxb?ocid=mailsignout

[GummyBearz]

1. We do need to get rid of some space junk, but

as far as I know there is a world wide treaty against weaponizing space systems... could be a road block.

[A HERETIC I AM]

2. Headline should read.....

"Space Station Could Get Laser Cannon to make large bits of Orbital Debris into many smaller bits"

Unless they have invented a "Phaser" or some other sort of disintegrator, all a laser will do is cut up large pieces into smaller ones.

To my knowledge and understanding of Laser beams, they can not make an object disappear.

[GummyBearz]

3. The headline is accurate, you should read the article

per the article:

"The scientists would use the laser to vaporize a thin film of matter off the surface of debris. The resulting high-speed plasma would act like a rocket plume, nudging the junk downward, and away from the space station to eventually burn up in Earth's atmosphere."

Nudging something close enough to get pulled into earth's atmosphere where it will be disintegrated is what the laser cannon aims to accomplish.

[A HERETIC I AM]

5. Fair enough. n/t

[GummyBearz]

6. ;)

I still think it may run into problems with the whole space weapons treaty thing... guess we will see.

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. I was going to post that their aim better be spot on......

if the plasma created is supposed to act as a medium to enact trajectory.

But I still haven't read the article!

I'm busy watching something on Netflix as well as getting a buzz on, so there you go!

[hatrack]

4. If it's going to have fricking lasers, can it at least be shaped like a shark??!!?

[Archae]

8. What can go wrong?