--- title: "Startup Building Huge Laser to Shoot Down Space Junk From the Ground" description: "Japanese start-up EX-FUSION plans to use a powerful laser pulse to literally stop space junk in its tracks, safely de-orbiting it." date: "2024-01-17" modified: "2024-01-17" authors: - name: "Frank Landymore" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/flandymore" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/ground-laser-shoot-down-space-junk" categories: - "Off-World" - "Space" tags: - "space junk" - "space laser" - "the digest" --- # Startup Building Huge Laser to Shoot Down Space Junk From the Ground ![Japanese start-up EX-FUSION plans to use a powerful laser pulse to literally stop space junk in its tracks, safely de-orbiting it.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* ## Fusion Cuisine A Japanese startup called EX-Fusion has announced a bold new plan to take out space junk: shooting the stuff down with laser beams, [*Nikkei Asia* reports](). The experimental technology could be one of many potential methods to tackle the daunting task of cleaning up our planet's cluttered orbit. Rest assured, this approach doesn't involve blowing stuff up in space. Instead, the startup will use a type of beam known as diode-pumped solid-state laser to nudge debris out of orbit and into a safe area of the Earth's atmosphere, where the debris will burn up upon re-entry. It's not the only company pursuing a laser-based approach, but unlike some of its competitors, EX-Fusion says its method will be ground-based, rather than relying on lasers mounted on satellites**.** The startup also has a curious potential edge: a background in exploring nuclear fusion, for which its lasers were originally designed. "The power of a laser for destroying space junk is an order of magnitude lower than for nuclear fusion, but they share technical challenges such as controlling them via special mirrors," EX-Fusion CEO Kazuki Matsuo told *Nikkei*. ## Laser Focus The first phase of the EX-Fusion's plan will involve installing its laser at an observatory in Canberra operated by the Australian firm EOS Space. Things are already moving along, with the two companies signing a memorandum of understanding in October last year, *Nikkei* reported. The goal is to set up a less powerful iteration of the laser that will track space junk that's smaller than four inches, a size that has proved difficult for other ground-based lasers to keep tabs on. The second phase is when the laser will be powered up to take down a selected target. It will be shot intermittently so that the beam pushes against the direction a piece of space debris is traveling in. Once slowed down, the reasoning goes, the debris should fall into the atmosphere. It may sound a little far-fetched — and indeed, the timeline for EX-Fusion's plans is unclear — but NASA has already [acknowledged the broader technology's potential]() in a report last year, noting both the usefulness of a ground-based approach and a space-based one, though not favoring one over the other. ## Garbage Man Whatever ends up being the best method — and it will likely end up being several used together — NASA as well as the [European Space Agency have been clear]() that space junk is [already a serious issue](). Astronauts face the most immediate threat. The [International Space Station has been forced to dodge debris]() on numerous occasions. In the future, the junk could [crowd out new satellites]() from being stationed, block space travel, and [uncontrollably fall to Earth](). For now, clean-up [efforts are rocky and difficult](). A ground-based approach could potentially be less messy than sending junk-hunting space probes to handle the task — that is, if the idea ever gets off the ground. **More on space junk:** *[FAA Warns That Falling Satellites Are Going to Start Killing People]()* ## Author At Futurism, my work has often centered on bringing a sense of clarity and insight to complex topics ranging from the regulation of emerging technologies to the esoteric ideologies of Silicon Valley executives, while striving not to lose the poetic sense of awe inspired by often-obscure fields like astrophysics and quantum computing. I broke the story of CNET using AI to produce articles that turned out to be riddled with factual errors and plagiarism — a dam-breaking inflection point, as I've reported, that's inspired copycats and endless discourse while beguiling stakeholders ranging from tech giants to purveyors of spam around the web. My work at Futurism has been cited by publications including CBS News, the Los Angeles Times, Vice, Gizmodo, Engadget, the Verge, and Vanity Fair. I grew up in locales ranging from India to China, and now live in the exotic suburbs of Virginia. In my free time, I'm an avid reader of weird sci-fi literature, an aficionado of East Asian cinema, and, regrettably, a relapsed gamer. Allegedly, I’m working on a debut novel, currently untitled. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()