The European Space Agency (Esa) is developing a groundbreaking ground-based laser system to physically nudge lethal space junk away from satellites, marking a shift from moving spacecraft to moving the debris itself.
Known as Omlet, the project is currently transitioning to the design and implementation stages to address the escalating threat of orbital collisions.
HOW CAN WE PUSH JUNK WITH LIGHT?
The name Omlet stands for Orbit Maintenance via Laser MomEntum Transfer. Instead of relying on satellites to burn precious fuel to dodge debris, this system uses high-power lasers from the ground to exert photon pressure on the junk.
While the push is tiny, it is sufficient in the vacuum of space to slightly alter the trajectory of a non-manoeuvrable object. This small change in velocity can reduce the probability of a conjunction or prevent a catastrophic collision entirely, saving both the satellite and its vital services.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY MAKES THIS POSSIBLE?
The system relies on a high-power laser platform integrated with precision pointing systems and adaptive optics. These optics are crucial for correcting the blurring effect of Earth’s atmosphere, ensuring the laser beam stays concentrated on its target hundreds of kilometres away.
Esa is already using its Izana laser ranging station in Tenerife, Spain to detect and track objects with millimetre precision. Omlet builds on this by moving beyond mere tracking to active mitigation, offering a controlled way to manage the traffic in low-Earth orbit.
This effort involves addressing technical hurdles like thermal stability of the debris and ensuring the lasers do not interfere with air traffic safety.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER FOR INDIA TODAY?
As India expands its own satellite constellations and prepares for ambitious human spaceflight missions, the safety of the orbital environment is paramount.
Space is a finite resource, and a single major collision can create thousands of fragments, causing a chain reaction known as the Kessler Syndrome.
By developing cost-effective, ground-based solutions like Omlet, the global space community can ensure that orbit remains sustainable for communication, navigation, and weather forecasting for decades to come.
