Combating Space Debris: How Space-Based Laser Cleaning Systems Can Be Part of the Solution
Neal Lachman
???? | ???? | CEO & Chief of Spacecraft Design | TitansSpace.com | Investor | Selene Mission | Crewed Mars Mission:2032 | Nuclear Propulsion | Normalizing Space Tourism | Spaceplanes | Space Stations
Our skies are becoming increasingly crowded. Decades of space exploration and satellite deployment have left behind a legacy of orbital debris, ranging from defunct satellites to spent rocket stages. This debris poses a significant threat to operational spacecraft, with the potential to cause catastrophic collisions.
Addressing this growing problem necessitates a multifaceted approach, encompassing both economic considerations and technological advancements.
Economic Framework and Decision-Making:
A March 2023 study by NASA, titled "Cost and Benefit Analysis of Orbital Debris Remediation ," sheds light on the economic viability of various approaches to tackling orbital debris.
The study, claiming to be the most comprehensive of its kind, meticulously quantifies the negative impact of orbital debris on spacefaring entities. This economic framing serves to highlight the urgency of addressing the issue and goes beyond simply recognizing the problem. It delves into potential solutions, offering a comparative analysis of various debris remediation methods. By weighing the costs against the benefits, the study aims to equip policymakers with a valuable framework for informed decision-making.
In this article, we want to focus on debris removal by way of a space-based laser system.
On page 23 of the NASA study, they state:
Specifically, the space-based laser system we investigate may be able to remove 100,000 pieces of small debris in the span of a few months, using favorable assumptions about the material composition of the debris. Alternatively, we provide a more conservative estimate that indicates the laser system may remediate 100,000 pieces of small debris during its entire operational lifetime.
The space-based laser system indicates an ability to remediate debris within a 400 km altitude band of the laser system. We chose to remove these pieces of debris from the altitude range of 450-850 km because our cost model indicates that this range provides the greatest potential benefit, compared to other 400 km ranges in LEO...
The space-based laser system indicates an ability to remediate debris within a 400 km altitude band of the laser system. We chose to remove these pieces of debris from the altitude range of 450-850 km because our cost model indicates that this range provides the greatest potential benefit, compared to other 400 km ranges in LEO. Our simplified debris model estimates about 191,000 pieces of 1-10 cm debris in this altitude range. Thus, we remove 48 percent of the debris from each altitude bin to reach a total of 100,000 pieces of debris removed.
NASA illustrates the debris removed, overlaid with the total population of 1-10cm debris in low LEO.
Addressing this challenge necessitates innovative solutions, and one such possibility lies in Titans Space's hybrid constellations – multi-purpose satellite networks combining various functionalities.
The Case for Space-Based Laser Remediation
As detailed in the NASA report , traditional debris removal methods grapple with limitations. Ground-based or rendezvous-based approaches suffer from high costs and logistical complexities. In this context, space-based lasers emerge as a potentially game-changing solution, and Titans Space will start developing such satellite systems from H2-2024 onward at its upcoming manufacturing facilities . in addition to its spaceplane-based solution (Read Cleaning the Celestial Junkyard: Titans Spaceplane and the Future of Space Debris Removal ).
These specialized lasers, mounted on dedicated spacecraft can utilize focused beams to vaporize portions of the debris surface. The resulting thrust, albeit minuscule, alters the debris trajectory, gradually propelling it towards atmospheric re-entry and eventual destruction.
The appeal of space-based lasers lies in their scalability and precision. They can target numerous debris objects from a single platform, enhancing efficiency, and their pinpoint accuracy minimizes fragmentation, mitigating the creation of even more debris.
However, the report also highlights the significant technical and economic challenges: developing high-powered lasers for the space environment and conducting comprehensive cost-benefit analyses are crucial steps before full-scale deployment.
The Rise of Hybrid Constellations
Beyond dedicated debris removal satellites, a promising solution lies in hybrid constellations. These multi-purpose networks combine various functionalities within a single satellite, offering a cost-effective and efficient approach to space utilization.
Imagine a single satellite in LEO equipped with:
More details about these systems will be shared in an upcoming article. Some details/history about our Angie 6g/TitansN satellite mega-constellation plans can be found here .
By integrating these functionalities within a single platform, hybrid constellations offer several advantages:
A Combined Approach
The combination of space-based laser remediation technology with hybrid constellations holds immense potential for tackling the orbital debris challenge.
By integrating SBLC systems alongside communication and Earth observation capabilities, we can achieve a multifaceted approach to space sustainability.
This approach offers not only a cost-effective solution for debris removal but also fosters a cleaner space environment, ultimately benefiting various space activities and unlocking the full potential of space exploration and its applications for the betterment of humanity.
Realizing this vision necessitates substantial research and development efforts to overcome the technical challenges associated with space-based lasers and ensure the seamless integration of diverse functionalities within hybrid constellations. Additionally, fostering international collaboration will be crucial for sharing resources and expertise, and navigating the complex legal and ethical considerations surrounding debris removal in space.
Addressing the growing threat of orbital debris is paramount for ensuring the long-term sustainability of space activities. While space-based laser technology offers a promising solution, integrating it within cost-effective and efficient hybrid constellations can truly revolutionize our approach to space debris management, paving the way for a cleaner and brighter future for humanity's endeavors beyond Earth.
Join our consortium to be part of this revolution.
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About Titans Space Industries
Titans Space Industries (TSI) is creating a streamlined Earth-to-lunar surface transport infrastructure with spaceplanes, space stations, spaceships, and dedicated lunar vehicles for landing and travel.
Titans Space intends to:
? Become the largest LEO and Lunar Space tourism company
? Become the largest Real Estate owner in Space and on the Moon
? Become the largest Lunar commerce and mining company (from 2031 onwards)
TSI, a division of Titans Universe , comprises a vast portfolio of incredible, revolutionary space infrastructure that will allow safe and efficient end-to-end space transportation, including spaceplanes and space stations for space tourism , commercial, and industrial purposes, as well as for research, governments, and military usage.
Titans Space’s single-stage-to-orbit spaceplanes will facilitate orbital space flights for orbital cruises or going to Low-Earth Orbit, sub-orbital flights for zero-g space tourism flights, as well as ultra-fast point-to-point transportation for humans and cargo.
TSI's space tourism division is building the future of luxury space exploration with spaceplanes, spaceships, space stations, and lunar transport vehicles. TSI’s revolutionary LEO Space Station and Lunar Space Station will redefine humanity’s place amongst the stars, with lunar tourism , scientific research, commercial mining applications, lunar factories, and lunar real estate .
About the Founding Team
TSI was founded by a group of 15 partners with a combined 450 years of business experience, representing investor interests in Titans Universe/TSI. They worked together on numerous projects for a combined 200+ years.
The founding team includes a 28-year-veteran space entrepreneur and satellite broadband pioneer, a PE fund manager who raised more than $6 billion in capital, a 40+ year rocketry and aerodynamics veteran, a 40+ year Space entrepreneur and activist, a Hall-of-Fame NBA basketball legend, a former Head of Business Development at Apple, a multi-billion-dollar business strategist, a former MD of KPMG NYC who advised on 100+ PE and M&A transactions, and the former CFO of a Formula One racing team and public listed companies.
Our Founding CEO, Neal S. Lachman is a serial entrepreneur with 35 years of investment, business, space, technology, and telecom experience. In 1992, he picked up the phone and started communicating with companies like PanAmSat. He has been a space entrepreneur since 1994/1995 when he and two of his brothers applied for and received three international digital satellite broadcast licenses.