3 ms·
That's a neat idea, but it misses an important step: after the laser hits the debris, what's changed? Now instead of a small piece of cold metal coming at you,
by mabbo 10y ago
That's a neat idea, but it misses an important step: after the laser hits the debris, what's changed? Now instead of a small piece of cold metal coming at you, you have a very hot blob of molten metal moving at roughly the same direction and speed.
- maxerickson 10y agoWith high enough power, the debris might eject some material (pushing it into a different orbit). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome#Avoidance_and_reduction https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome#Avoidance_and... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_broom https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laser_broom I guess it isn't something that would be on lots of satellites. But it wouldn't need to be.
- andrewflnr 10y agoMy idea was that you get a rapidly spreading cloud of metallic vapor coming your way. Again, though, power. Also what maxerickson said, but then you need to be even more precise, at least if it's coming right at you.