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Deflection of dangerous middle-size LEO debris with autonomous space-based laser brooms via surgical actions

In their April 2024 paper in Acta Astronautica, Gambi, Phipps, and colleagues proposed a space-based laser “broom” system composed of multiple autonomous LEO-tracking satellites designed to perform “surgical” laser ablation on mid-size debris (1–10 cm). Using precision-driven post-Newtonian orbit calculations, each unit autonomously targets and fires short laser pulses to ablate surface material, generating small but cumulative thrust to lower debris perigee for atmospheric re-entry. Their simulations demonstrate that this coordinated, high-accuracy laser network can effectively reduce collision risk with minimal energy and cost, offering a scalable and timely solution to address the growing threat of mid-size orbital debris.

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