Laser-optical technologies for space debris removal

Technologies for the removal of space debris fragments of artificial (man-made) origin from near-Earth space is being proposed in order to provide the security of space flights. The fundamental principle of the proposed method is based on the utilization of intense solar radiation to direct and concentrate at space debris fragments with the aim of creating a plasma braking and transferring the fragment from a circular to an elliptical orbit following its subsequent burn up in the dense layers of the atmosphere. At the same time, the generation of substantial solar radiation is facilitated by a synthesized multi-aperture optical system situated in a heliosynchronous space orbit and permanently oriented towards the Sun.