Pollution is not a problem on Earth alone. In outer space pollution like the scars of satellites also begins to become a problem that needs immediate fixing so as not to interfere with our space program.
Seeing this problem, Chinese researchers are trying to learn the possibility of using laser light to reduce waste, debris, and other pollution in Earth's orbit. The research has been published in the journal Optics-International Journal for Light and Electron Optics.
In fact, this is not the first initiative to eliminate waste and pollution in outer space. Researchers have proposed plans to pull out all the waste from Earth's orbit and there are even plans to drop the waste to Earth to burn them in the atmosphere.
Nevertheless, the research results of researchers from China that is considered the most effective for now.
Researchers have successfully simulated laser stations in orbit that can target and fire pieces from space junk. They are proven to effectively clean the pieces under 10cm and can shoot 20 shots of light every second for a duration of about two minutes.
This shot is designed to push the garbage out to fall and burn in Earth's orbit. In addition, lasers can also be used to encourage waste to not hit a satellite or other space station.
The team concluded it was very possible and this is the most effective way to clean up space pollution.
The Use of Lasers Still Has Challenges
Indeed the use of laser stations in orbit can help solve major problems in the space industry. Earlier in 2015, the International Space Station crew (ISS) had to evacuate their residence part due to a collision threat with an old satellite.
Although then the collision does not happen, just imagine if a collision occurs. Equipment worth billions of dollars can be damaged and cause us to lose the ISS which is the only space station we belong to.
Although it is very necessary to anticipate this problem, it turns out this plan also has many issues.
First, this laser can only destroy very small pieces of space junk. Not yet known whether the laser can encourage larger pieces of space junk.
Another problem came from the logistics sector to build a laser station in the orbit. And also there is the problem of whether this laser can be used as a weapon like in science fiction movies.
If we find a way to ensure that the laser station in orbit can be used safely and in accordance with what we want. The station can help us in the problem of space junk which is increasingly dangerous each year because of the increasing number.