Japan startup eyes fusion laser to shoot down space junk from ground

EX-Fusion to employ powerful nuclear fusion laser to perform unprecedented task

20240110N space junk laser

EX-Fusion's plan, displayed here in Japanese, is to fire lasers from the ground to slow the speed of space debris, causing it to drop into the Earth's atmosphere. (Ex-Fusion)

KAZUKI YOSHIKAWA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Osaka-based startup EX-Fusion is attempting to accomplish what once seemed impossible -- taking out minuscule pieces of space junk with laser beams fired from the ground.

Space debris originates from old satellites and rocket bodies. Smaller fragments materialize when these objects collide in orbit at high speeds, with debris as small as a few millimeters known to have caused problems when they strike spaceships and functioning satellites.

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