| Popis: |
Since the Chinese anti-missile test in 2007 the problem of space debris and their threat to all space assets has become known to a larger community. Today, advances in laser sources and large mirrors including adaptive optics have matured and are in principle available. The paper first addresses the current situation of accumulated space debris and future predictions of collisions in space. Second, different solutions to mitigate the debris problem will be reviewed with emphasis on the use of high power pulsed lasers as derived from fundamental relations governing the momentum imparted to the debris by the laser pulse and causing their re-entry into the atmosphere with subsequent burn up. Unfortunately the required laser specifications lead to a demand of laser sources which cannot be satisfied with currently available devices. Therefore, two novel laser architectures will be presented. Finally, operational concepts and safety aspects will be addressed in order to evaluate the prospects of laser debris removal.Since the Chinese anti-missile test in 2007 the problem of space debris and their threat to all space assets has become known to a larger community. Today, advances in laser sources and large mirrors including adaptive optics have matured and are in principle available. The paper first addresses the current situation of accumulated space debris and future predictions of collisions in space. Second, different solutions to mitigate the debris problem will be reviewed with emphasis on the use of high power pulsed lasers as derived from fundamental relations governing the momentum imparted to the debris by the laser pulse and causing their re-entry into the atmosphere with subsequent burn up. Unfortunately the required laser specifications lead to a demand of laser sources which cannot be satisfied with currently available devices. Therefore, two novel laser architectures will be presented. Finally, operational concepts and safety aspects will be addressed in order to evaluate the prospects of laser debris re... |
