Exploring the Use of a Ground-Based Laser System to Deorbit Small Orbital Debris

In March 2023, NASA Office of Technology, Policy, and Strategy (OTPS) released its Cost and Benefit Analysis of Orbital Debris Remediation report. This analysis found that the two most efficient methods for remediating orbital debris were the removal of small (1-10 cm) debris and nudging large debris away from predicted collisions; both methods could be performed by high-energy laser systems. To further explore the concept, OTPS has been assessing a reference mission using ground-based, pulsed lasers to detect, engage, and rapidly deorbit 1- to 10-cm debris that would otherwise threaten the safety of the International Space Station and future crewed platforms in low Earth orbit.

In March of 2024, OTPS convened a technical interchange meeting (TIM) of experts in detection and tracking of debris, high-energy glass and excimer lasers, laser-matter interactions, atmospheric propagation, and adaptive optics. The TIM spanned two days, covering the unclassified state of the art, uncertainties, and technical challenges for the entire concept of operations of the reference mission. In this presentation, we will summarize the reference mission analyzed, key findings from the TIM, and solicit the feedback from this community to further define “what is good enough” for debris remediation.