Japanese startup company Orbital Lasers, supported by satellite operator SKY Perfect JSAT, is planning to launch a service for removing space debris. If all goes according to plan, the new company aims to start operations around 2029.
The technology required for such a service has been developed in collaboration with the satellite operator and renowned Japanese research institute Riken. It involves using laser ablation.
Orbital’s satellite payload is designed to emit a laser beam that can vaporize a portion of the surface of the target space debris. The momentum generated by the vaporized material will be used by the company to halt the rotation of the object, if necessary, and then slow it down gradually until it deorbits and burns up in the Earth’s atmosphere.
The company claims that this is a safe method for dealing with orbital debris, as it avoids physical contact with other objects, many of which are moving at speeds of about 7.5 km per second (16,777 mph). Additionally, because no propellant is needed to maneuver the target debris, Orbital states that it can achieve results at lower operational costs than alternative methods.
According to Orbital Lasers’ President and CEO Tadanori Fukushima, the company intends to develop a prototype by 2027 to demonstrate the feasibility of this method for space debris removal. The company hopes to attract interest from both domestic and international organizations involved in space debris mitigation.
Satellite operator SKY Perfect JSAT has stated that the issue of orbital debris is a growing concern for them as a satellite operator and should be treated as an environmental problem comparable to issues such as global warming and plastic pollution in the oceans.
The company has said that by establishing Orbital Lasers, they intend to address this problem. Last year, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed rules for commercial companies launching into space to limit the growth of orbital debris. It is estimated that there are over 23,000 objects measuring 10 cm or larger, half a million objects in the 1 to 10 cm range, and over 100 million objects larger than 1 mm.
However, deploying a laser of sufficient power in space that could potentially damage other satellites could be seen as a step too far. It doesn’t take much imagination to envision how such a payload could be used to attack other satellites in orbit. Even if Orbital Lasers has no intention of allowing such a situation, the mere threat could provoke a preemptive strike. Chinese researchers have already suggested using high-powered lasers or microwaves to neutralize potentially hostile satellites, with the growing Starlink communication constellation as a potential target.
However, that is not the only application Orbital Lasers plans to use its technology for. The company intends to develop satellite Lidar (light detection and ranging) technology to create detailed three-dimensional maps of the Earth’s surface for applications such as development planning, infrastructure design, cargo monitoring, and vegetation density assessment in areas like the Amazon.
Satellite operator SKY Perfect JSAT has announced that they have signed an agreement with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) for the conceptual study of Lidar satellites and their future commercialization, to be conducted by Orbital Lasers.
FAQ section based on key topics and information presented in the article:
1. What service does Orbital Lasers plan to launch?
Orbital Lasers plans to launch a service for removing space debris.
2. What partnerships has Orbital Lasers formed to develop space debris removal technology?
Orbital Lasers has partnered with satellite operator SKY Perfect JSAT and the Japanese research institute Riken to develop laser ablation technology.
3. How does Orbital’s application work for space debris removal?
Orbital’s satellite payload emits a laser beam that vaporizes the surface of the target space debris. The momentum from the vaporized material is used to stop the rotation of the object and slow it down until it deorbits and burns up in the Earth’s atmosphere.
4. Why is the space debris removal method proposed by Orbital Lasers considered safe?
This method is considered safe because it avoids physical contact with other objects moving at high speeds in space. Additionally, it does not require propellant for maneuvering, resulting in lower operational costs.
5. What are Orbital Lasers’ goals in the coming years?
Orbital Lasers plans to develop a prototype of their space debris removal technology by 2027 and attract interest from domestic and international organizations involved in this field.
6. Why does satellite operator SKY Perfect JSAT consider the issue of orbital debris significant?
Satellite operator SKY Perfect JSAT considers orbital debris a significant issue as it can impact satellite operations and is recognized as an environmental problem.
7. What other applications does Orbital Lasers plan, apart from space debris removal?
Orbital Lasers plans to develop satellite Lidar technology for creating detailed three-dimensional maps of the Earth’s surface. This technology has applications in development planning, infrastructure design, cargo monitoring, and vegetation density assessment.
Key term definitions and jargon used in the article:
– Laser ablation: The process of removing material through laser interaction.
– Lidar: Light detection and ranging technique for measuring distances and analyzing surface features of the Earth using lasers.
– Communication constellation: A group of communication satellites working together in a network to relay data.
Suggested related links:
– [Link](https://www.orbitallasers.com/) – Orbital Lasers official website
– [Link](https://www.jsat.net/en/) – SKY Perfect JSAT official website
– [Link](https://www.riken.jp/en/) – Riken official website
– [Link](https://global.jaxa.jp/) – Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) official website
The source of the article is from the blog hashtagsroom.com