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satya98
Apr21-11, 12:36 PM
Is it a right think to use laser technology for removing space junk, what NASA is working right now.
(I think this will create severe problems in the future which we can sense)

JaredJames
Apr21-11, 01:28 PM
OK, so what problems will this cause? Getting rid of it is a good thing.

KrisOhn
Apr21-11, 01:56 PM
I think it is the right thing to do to bring down space junk, we have too much of it up there and it's becoming a problem. When I go out observing I probably see at least 1 satellite, that I can see, go through my FOV per 5 minutes.

What problems will bringing this stuff down cause?

NlCK
Apr21-11, 02:09 PM
"NASA scientists have suggested shooting space junk with lasers before. But earlier plans relied on military-class lasers that would either destroy an object altogether, or vaporize part of its surface and create little plasma plumes that would rocket the piece of litter away. Those lasers would be prohibitively expensive, the team says, not to mention make other space-faring nations nervous about what exactly that military-grade laser is pointing at."


"In the new study, the researchers suggest focusing a mid-powered laser through a telescope to shine on pieces of orbital debris that look like they’re on a collision course. Each photon of laser light carries a tiny amount of momentum. Together, all the photons in the beam can nudge an object in space and slow it down by about .04 inches per second."


Source: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/03/lasering-space-junk/


I included the previous information/excerpts because it's conceivably possible that you could be unfamiliar with the recently proposed methods for removing 'space junk' with lasers.

(I think this will create severe problems in the future which we can sense)


Why opt for a vague sentence instead of providing a short explanation?