© NASA illustration, courtesy Orbital Debris Program Office.
This graphic of orbital debris, or “space junk" (any human-made object in orbit around the Earth that no longer serves a useful purpose) comes from 2009. The same year, a US communications satellite owned by a private company, Iridium, collided with a non-functioning Russian satellite. The collision destroyed both satellites and created a field of debris that endangered other orbiting satellites.
This graphic of orbital debris, or “space junk" (any human-made object in orbit around the Earth that no longer serves a useful purpose) comes from 2009. The same year, a US communications satellite owned by a private company, Iridium, collided with a non-functioning Russian satellite. The collision destroyed both satellites and created a field of debris that endangered other orbiting satellites.
Space debris (or "junk") is becoming a serious problem as orbits get more congested with decommissioned space craft and other objects, and new satellites. Debris can smash into assets such as the International Space Station, and even a small object can cause great damage in space.
The ANU's "guide star laser" will use adaptive optics to better spot, track, and move space debris.
Adaptive optics correct for haziness caused by atmospheric turbulence - the effect that makes stars twinkle. It "untwinkles" them.
Lead researcher, ANU professor Celine D'Orgeville, said "removing the twinkle from the stars" cuts through the atmospheric distortion so objects can be seen more clearly.
"This includes small, human-made objects - like weather and communications satellites, or space junk," she said.
EOS group chief executive officer Ben Greene said EOS maintains a database of space objects and will now be able to actively manipulate them.
"Space debris is a major society threat, globally but especially in Australia due to our heavy economic dependence on space assets," he said.
Comment: Neil deGrasse Tyson has managed to craft a slightly more credible scientist persona than say, Bill Nye. Yet, look at the use he is making of it:
- Neil deGrasse Tyson: Celebrity scientist - and salesman for the military-industrial-complex
- Corrupt science: Neil deGrasse Tyson shamelessly defends his statements on GMO foods
- Neil deGrasse Tyson: Things have to get worse before Congress will take action on climate change
Plus, his faith in "peer review" should have been badly shaken long before now: