Space debris de-orbiting by vaporization impulse using short pulse laser

James T. Early; Camille Bibeau; Claude R. Phipps

doi:10.1117/12.548832

20 September 2004 Space debris de-orbiting by vaporization impulse using short pulse laser

James T. Early, Camille Bibeau, Claude R. Phipps

Proceedings Volume 5448, High-Power Laser Ablation V; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.548832
Event: High-Power Laser Ablation, 2004, Taos, New Mexico, United States

Abstract

Space debris constitutes a significant hazard to low earth orbit satellites and particularly to manned spacecraft. A quite small velocity decrease from vaporization impulses is enough to lower the perigee of the debris sufficiently for atmospheric drag to de-orbit the debris. A short pulse (picosecond) laser version of the Orion concept can accomplish this task in several years of operation. The "Mercury" short pulse Yb:S-FAP laser being developed at LLNL for laser fusion is appropriate for this task.

Citation Download Citation

James T. Early, Camille Bibeau, and Claude R. Phipps "Space debris de-orbiting by vaporization impulse using short pulse laser", Proc. SPIE 5448, High-Power Laser Ablation V, (20 September 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.548832

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