Directed Energy System for Targeting of Asteroids and ExplorRation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Directed Energy System for Targeting of Asteroids and ExplorRation (DE-STAR) is a proposed University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) Experimental Cosmology Group experimental astrophysics group primarily focused on studies of the early universe and astrophysical applications of directed energy. They propose a system to deflect asteroids, comets, and other near-Earth objects (NEO) that pose a credible risk of impact. The objects that cross Earth’s orbit, even relatively small ones, can still have a devastating effect. UCSB group proposes an orbital planetary defense system capable of heating the surface of potentially hazardous objects to the point of vaporization. DE-STAR is a modular phased array of kilowatt class lasers powered by photovoltaics, see directed energy weapon.[1] [2] [3] [4]

The same UCSB Experimental Cosmology group also proposed using the system as a method of propelling small spacecraft to 0.4% of the speed of light.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ "DE-STAR".
  2. ^ http://iaaweb.org/iaa/Scientific%20Activity/conf/pdc2015/IAA-PDC-15-03-07pr.pdf
  3. ^ "Planetary Defense Coordination Office". NASA.
  4. ^ http://www.deepspace.ucsb.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/SPIE-Optical-Engineering-Towards-Directed-Energy-Planetary-Defense-Lubin-at-al-2014.pdf
  5. ^ Bible, J. J.; Johansson, Isabella; Hughes, Gary B.; Lubin, Philip M. (2013-09-24). Taylor, Edward W.; Cardimona, David A. (eds.). "Relativistic propulsion using directed energy". Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments VII. San Diego, United States: SPIE. 8876: 38. Bibcode:2013SPIE.8876E..05B. doi:10.1117/12.2035346. ISBN 9780819497260.


Retrieved from ""