Is Laser Mankind's Answer to Space Junk? Japanese Researchers Think So

Floating space junk is a threat to satellites and astronauts but a solution to rid 3,000 ton debris in Earth's orbit has remained elusive. That may change if a team of Japanese scientists have their way.

Researchers at Riken Computational Astrophysics Laboratory have suggested mounting a laser gun atop the International Space Station (ISS) to breakdown bigger debris and send them hurtling towards Earth. The planet's atmosphere would incinerate the debris. Before they can actually mount a full-scale laser, researchers are suggesting installation of a 100-fiber laser on ISS that could be proof of their concept.

"Our proposal is radically different from the more conventional approach that is ground based, and we believe it is a more manageable approach that will be accurate, fast, and cheap," scientist Toshikazu Ebisuzaki reportedly said.

The plan is to use a telescope that would spot approaching debris and use the laser to fire at it. If the concept is proved, a 10,000 fiber laser could be installed.

Space junk orbiting Earth varies in size. While astronauts can spot junk bigger than 4-inch in size, smaller debris is difficult to spot. Junk pieces measuring as small as 0.4 inch can have devastating consequences for satellites as they hurtle at over 18,000 mph.