---
title: Lasers could nudge space debris aside
date: 2011-03-17T22:26:50Z
modified: 2022-03-22T04:03:17Z
permalink: "https://nko.org/lasers-nudge-space-debris/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 886
categories:
  - Environment
  - Science
tags:
  - Environment
  - Science
  - active debris removal
  - collision
  - debris
  - Kessler syndrome
  - lasers
  - orbit
  - space
  - weapon
author: Paul Garrett Hugel
timestamp: 2022-03-22T04:03:17Z
---

The momentum of light could be enough to avert collisions in space.

Jon Cartwright

![](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/602F1798-EBFC-4588-AF8E-3E9BDCA9E35D-552x1024.jpg)

The amount of debris orbiting the Earth poses a threat to satellites.Orbital RSO including working, non working satellites and space debris

Scientists in the United States have devised a new way to avoid collisions among space debris, and possibly even reduce the amount of debris in orbit. The method uses a medium-powered, ground-based laser to nudge the debris off course — but some are concerned that the laser could be used as a weapon.

[See Full Story](http://www.nature.com/news/2011/110315/full/news.2011.161.html "full story")

## Topics

**Categories:** [Environment](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/category/environment.md), [Science](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/category/science.md)

**Tags:** [active debris removal](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/active-debris-removal.md), [collision](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/collision.md), [debris](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/debris.md), [Kessler syndrome](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/kessler-syndrome.md), [lasers](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/lasers.md), [orbit](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/orbit.md), [space](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/space.md), [weapon](https://nko.org/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/taxonomy/post_tag/weapon.md)