Jul 27 2010
Electric Optic Systems, an Australian company, has manufactured a laser-tracking device that will help in stopping space debris from colliding with satellites and spacecrafts in the Earth’s orbit. Lasers shot from the ground will identify even small space debris of 4-inch size, hence protecting satellites and astronauts.
Illustration image shows a view of the Earth from geostationary height depicting swarms of space debris
Electric Optics developed the laser tracking system with the help of the $4 million funding received from the Government of Australia. Electric Optic Systems’ Chief Executive Officer, Craig Smith, said the device is highly accurate in tracking space debris and help in predicting whether a collision would occur or not.
More than 500,000 space debris measuring 1cm or more, and 200,000 objects measuring below 1cm. The types of debris in the orbit range from rocket body parts that are of bus size to small particles of size of 0.5mm paint fleck, traveling at a speed of nearly 19,000 miles per hour.