New method of space debris cleaning based on light negative force: tractor laser

Qiongge Sun; Long Gao; Chen Li

doi:10.1117/12.2230905

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26 January 2016 New method of space debris cleaning based on light negative force: tractor laser

Qiongge Sun, Long Gao, Chen Li

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Proceedings Volume 9796, Selected Papers of the Photoelectronic Technology Committee Conferences held November 2015; 979619 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2230905
Event: Selected Proceedings of the Chinese Society for Optical Engineering Conferences held November 2015, 2015, Various, China

Abstract

This paper presents a new way of space debris removal and protection, that is, using tractor laser, which based on light negative force, to achieve space debris cleaning and shielded. Tractor laser is traceable from the theory of optical tweezers, accompanied with non-diffraction beam. These kind of optical beams have the force named negative force pointing to optical source, this will bring the object along the trajectory of laser beam moving to the optical source. The negative force leads to the new method to convey and sampling the space micro-objects. In this paper, the application of tractor laser in the space debris collection and protection of 1cm is studied. The application of the several tractor beams in the space debris and sample collection is discussed. The proposed method can reduce the requirements of the laser to the satellite platform, and realize the collection of space debris, make the establishment of the space garbage station possible, and help to study the spatial non contact sample transmission and reduce the risk of space missions.

Citation Download Citation

Qiongge Sun, Long Gao, and Chen Li "New method of space debris cleaning based on light negative force: tractor laser", Proc. SPIE 9796, Selected Papers of the Photoelectronic Technology Committee Conferences held November 2015, 979619 (26 January 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2230905

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