Japan’s ‘Wacky Hack’ To Fight Space Debris – A Ground-Based Laser System That Can Burn Orbital Mess

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A Japanese startup called EX-Fusion is developing a ground-based laser system to remove space debris. The system would use a high-powered laser to track and vaporize space debris. The debris would be vaporized in a small portion, creating a plasma plume that pushes the debris off course

The goal is to raise the orbit of the debris by heating its surface with laser beams. The first phase of the project will focus on debris smaller than 10 centimeters, which is typically difficult to target from the ground. 

Space debris includes human-made objects, fragments, paint flecks, and other particles. The Kessler effect suggests that when the amount of space debris in Low Earth Orbit reaches a certain level, it will create a constant cycle of collisions and breakages. This could create a permanent danger for any spacecraft or satellite in orbit

Japan’s ‘Wacky Hack’ To Fight Space Debris – A Ground-Based Laser System That Can Burn Orbital Mess. In a bid to tackle the escalating problem of space debris, a Japan-based startup is making waves with its efforts to utilize ground-based laser beams to remove minuscule space fragments

EX-Fusion is a Japanese startup that is developing a ground-based laser system to remove space debris. The system uses diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers to apply force to fast-moving debris. The lasers use pulsed energy to slow down and eventually remove the debris. 

EX-Fusion’s strategy involves tracking small debris and then amplifying the laser power to deaccelerate and eliminate it. The debris will disintegrate upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere. 

EX-Fusion plans to place a high-powered laser inside an observatory operated by EOS Space outside of Canberra. The first phase will be to set up laser technology to track debris measuring less than 10 cm. 

Space debris can come from rocket launches, decommissioned satellites, or accidents. In 1965, two satellites exploded, generating nearly 500 pieces of debris.

Here are some robots that are being developed for space debris removal: 

  • NEO-01 A robot prototype launched in April 2021 for space debris removal and asteroid mining experiments. 
  • ClearSpace-1 A 500-kilogram spacecraft with four robotic tentacles that is scheduled for launch in 2025. 
  • ELSA-M A robot tug from Astroscale that can deorbit multiple satellites per mission. 

Robotic arm active debris capture removal (RA-ADCR) is a technology that can help contain the increase in space debris and maintain orbital safety. 

To remove space debris, you need to get close to it and match its speed. Then, you need to attach to it and move it into a lower orbit or directly into the atmosphere

A robotic arm for debris removal is a flexible arm that can capture space debris. The arm can vary its length to make it easier to capture debris without the spacecraft getting too close. The telescopic mechanism can also be controlled to minimize vibrations from the impact of the debris. 

The arm can also form a broad actuator to capture the debris. The electrodynamic tether can then generate Lorentz forces with the geomagnetic field to de-orbit the debris in low Earth orbit. 

In 2026, Astroscale plans to use a robotic arm to capture old satellites by their launch adapter rings. The junk collector craft will then drag the debris into a low orbit, where it will burn up as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere. 

NASA also uses robotic arms for other missions, such as servicing satellites, capturing asteroids, and assembling and servicing large telescopes in space. 

Here are some other space debris removal projects: 

  • RemoveDEBRIS A project by a consortium of companies, including Airbus, that tests active debris removal (ADR) technology. The goal is to find the best way to capture the estimated 40,000 pieces of space debris orbiting Earth.
  • CLEANSPACE A project that focuses on a ground-based laser solution to remove hazardous debris around selected space assets. 
  • ELSA-d A two-satellite mission developed by Astroscale, a Japan-based satellite services company. The mission consists of a “servicer” satellite and a “client” satellite. The “servicer” satellite is designed to safely remove debris from orbit. 
  • Detect, Track, and Remediate: The Challenge of Small Space Debris A competition by NASA that invites participants to contribute concepts to detect, characterize, track, or remediate debris in low Earth orbit (LEO). 

In 2022, ISRO set up the System for Safe and Sustainable Operations Management (IS 4 OM) to continually monitor objects posing collision threats, predict the evolution of space debris, and mitigate the risk posed by space debris. 

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