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by seymour333 2819 days ago
Ooh, what about a laser on the space side of the debris that heats it, causing the release of gases that propel it towards earth? You would have to be able dynamically re-target the debris for uniform acceleration while also pulsing the laser if the debris is spinning, but it would probably work.

soure: I can't even do basic math, but maybe someone smart will think this is an interesting idea

1 comments

It might be better to just shine a bright laser on it for an extended period of time and let light pressure do the job.

Side not, you would do this to the 'front' of the satellite as it orbits - the bit facing in the direction of travel. This would slow it down and make it fall into progressively lower orbits until atmospheric braking took over.