ISS Could Be Fitted With Lasers To Shoot Down Space Junk

An anonymous reader writes Japan's Riken research institute has suggested a new idea for dealing with space junk. They say a fiber optic laser mounted onto the International Space Station could blast debris out of the sky. From the article: "To combat the increasingly dense layer of dead satellites and miscellaneous space debris that are enshrouding our planet, no idea — nets, lassos, even ballistic gas clouds — seems too far-fetched to avoid. Now, an international team of researchers led by Japan's Riken research institute has put forward what may be the most ambitious plan to date. They propose blasting an estimated 3,000 tons of space junk out of orbit with a fiber optic laser mounted on the International Space Station."

Comments

Nice for R&R

[zipherx]

Just imagine, you are done with they days duties on-board the ISS, then you slip into your jumpsuit and grab a stick and shoot down space junk. This is simply put, SPACE INVADERS for real :D

Re:Doesn't work

[rodrigoandrade]

> Just leaves smaller material in orbit.

Yes, then you have to shoot them again to score more points. At least this doesn't have B&W vector graphics.

Re:Or

[rubycodez]

think of the ants, you insensitive clod!

In space, no one can hear you laser go 'pew pew'

[jpellino]

so why bother.