ESA set to use high-power lasers to prevent collisions in space

The Earth's orbit is becoming increasingly crowded. When space becomes overcrowded, satellites will no longer safe as they can be damaged by fast-moving debris. As of today, ESA uses laser technology to detect and monitor this debris as a means of achieving space safety. Projects like CREAM (Collision Risk Estimation and Automation Mitigation) will also help prevent collisions in space. But the developing OMLET (Orbit Maintenance via Laser MomEntum Transfer) project offers a unique approach.

OMLET is a ground-based laser system that will use a high-power laser to slightly change the velocities of space debris. OMLET’s high-power laser platform will be integrated with precision pointing systems and adaptive optics. As a whole, the system will shoot a laser beam that will hit space debris. The interaction between the laser beam and the object is expected to cause a slight change in the object’s speed and direction. This could reduce the probability of debris passing dangerously close to satellites — what is called conjunction. And, it could also prevent collisions altogether.

OMLET is currently moving from the requirement definition stage to design and implementation. The current development phase (Phase A/B1) is led by the Institute of Technical Physics at the German Aerospace Center (DLR).