World-first laser to shunt deadly space junk out of orbit (Australia)

9news.com.au ^ | Apr 8, 2021 | Jonathan Kearsley

[Nateman]

Astronomers have been using lasers for years to correct for atmospheric distortion . The trick is to see how the beam is altered then use a special mirror with computer controlled pistons to correct the incoming light.

I suspect this new technology just uses the same technique to correct the outgoing beam.

[BitWielder1]

I'm just guessing here but if you manage to heat the leading side of the space junk enough to evaporate material, it will slow it down ever so slightly.
It might take several orbits but eventually it will travel so low that the atmosphere can take care of the rest.

[mosesdapoet]

Thanks for posting that pix it adds to this posting

[Dundee]

Canberra (the location of this laser) isn’t exactly the world’s busiest air hub and that part of Australia is pretty thick with radar coverage.

I find it interesting for two reasons.

1. Space junk is a problem and if this helps reduce it then all the better.

2. The practical difference between this and an ASAT/ABM weapon is power.

[TigersEye]

It has been estimated there's about 130 million pieces of debris in space ... even urns containing the ashes of people fired into space.

Think about it. If you never made a big impact in life you could still bring down civilization in death.

[KarlInOhio]

So much for the dirty work by the United Galaxy Sanitation Patrol.

[JRios1968]

[A Navy Vet]

Sounds like something the US Space Force should be looking at. Of course, the Chi-Coms have probably already hacked the info.

[1Old Pro]

Can it likewise dispose of Chinese and Indian satellites? Would be good target practice.

My first thought. I suspect the next big one, sats will be the first targets, better renew my CB license :)

[bert]

Why India?

India is an ally.

[Reno89519]

India is not and never has been an ally. Like Mexico, their only interest is exporting cheap labor to us and stealing our technology.

[bert]

You are way out of date in your thinking. The quad is conducting naval exercises to thwart China

From Wiki.....
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD, also known as the Quad) is an informal strategic dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia and India that is maintained by talks between member countries. The dialogue was initiated in 2007 by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, with the support of Vice President Dick Cheney of the US, Prime Minister John Howard of Australia and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India.[1]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrilateral_Security_Dialogue

[Reno89519]

Treating India as an ally and giving them access to this technology, he’s going to come back and bite us. They are not an ally.

[bert]

Like I said....... you are way behind times