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EX-Fusion, an Osaka-based startup, plans to develop a ground-based laser system to help knock out space junk from the ground. This innovative approach, if successful, could be a valuable way of clearing up the increasingly crowded space around our homeworld.
Space junk, or space debris, refers to defunct human-made objects in Earth's orbit, like old satellites and spent rocket stages. These fragments, varying in size, pose collision risks to operational spacecraft and the International Space Station. Even debris as small as a few millimeters can create problems when it hits functioning satellites and spaceships.
As a result, the need to track and remove smaller space debris grows as space-related activities spread globally. For example, Nikkei Asia reports that a Tokyo-based startup, Astroscale Holdings, plans to launch a dedicated satellite to remove relatively large space debris. Another is Japan's Sky Perfect JSAT, which collaborates with Riken and other partners to develop a satellite-mounted laser that redirects space debris into the Earth's atmosphere, where it burns up.
EX-Fusion stands apart because it is taking the ground-based approach, with the startup tapping its arsenal of laser technology initially developed in pursuit of fusion power. In October, EX-Fusion signed a memorandum of understanding with EOS Space Systems, an Australian contractor with technology for detecting space debris. EX-Fusion has announced its plans to install a powerful laser system at the EOS Space Observatory near Canberra.
interestingengineering.com
Space junk, or space debris, refers to defunct human-made objects in Earth's orbit, like old satellites and spent rocket stages. These fragments, varying in size, pose collision risks to operational spacecraft and the International Space Station. Even debris as small as a few millimeters can create problems when it hits functioning satellites and spaceships.
As a result, the need to track and remove smaller space debris grows as space-related activities spread globally. For example, Nikkei Asia reports that a Tokyo-based startup, Astroscale Holdings, plans to launch a dedicated satellite to remove relatively large space debris. Another is Japan's Sky Perfect JSAT, which collaborates with Riken and other partners to develop a satellite-mounted laser that redirects space debris into the Earth's atmosphere, where it burns up.
EX-Fusion stands apart because it is taking the ground-based approach, with the startup tapping its arsenal of laser technology initially developed in pursuit of fusion power. In October, EX-Fusion signed a memorandum of understanding with EOS Space Systems, an Australian contractor with technology for detecting space debris. EX-Fusion has announced its plans to install a powerful laser system at the EOS Space Observatory near Canberra.
Japanese startup plans to vaporize space junk using ground lasers
EX-Fusion, a startup based in Osaka, is attempting to remove tiny pieces of space debris by firing laser beams from the ground.
interestingengineering.com
