The persistent menace of space junk orbiting Earth has spurred a team of Japanese researchers to develop a groundbreaking system that employs ground-fired lasers to neutralize fragments of space debris. With the increasing volume of spent rocket parts and decommissioned satellites in Earth’s orbit, the potential risks to satellites and crewed facilities such as the International Space Station and China’s Tiangong have become more severe.
Startups worldwide have been striving to devise effective solutions for clearing space junk, but Osaka-based EX-Fusion is taking a unique approach by utilizing lasers from the ground to eradicate debris from Earth’s orbit. The company has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Australian contractor EOS Space Systems, which possesses advanced technology for detecting space junk.
EX-Fusion plans to install a high-powered laser inside an EOS Space observatory near Canberra. The laser will be intermittently fired at space junk pieces measuring less than approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters). This strategic approach aims to slow down the debris, initiating a descent that leads to its burning up upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.
Unlike conventional laser weaponry utilizing “fiber lasers” that generate heat to eliminate objects, EX-Fusion’s system utilizes diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) lasers that are pulsed to apply force to rapidly moving debris, essentially acting like a brake, as reported by Nikkei Asia. While precision and power improvements are underway, the notable advantage of this system is its terrestrial operation, eliminating the need for complex space-based deployment.
While other initiatives worldwide propose diverse methods, such as satellite-mounted lasers, magnets, bags, and harpoons, EX-Fusion’s groundbreaking approach showcases a commitment to combating space junk threats with innovative technology.
