# Trash-Zapping Light Beams NASA Plans to Shoot Down Space Garbage with Lasers By Katie Cordrey | Published 2011-03-21 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shoot-down-space-garbage References: [wired](http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/03/lasering-space-junk/) & [escapistmagazine](http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/108524-NASA-Wants-to-Shoot-Lasers-at-Space-Trash) To prevent unwanted collisions with satellites and space vehicles, [NASA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/light-painting-1) plans to shoot down space garbage using lasers. A new study at NASA shows that a 5-kilowatt laser aimed at space junk for a few hours a day could degrade the junk’s orbit enough to cause it to fall from the sky. That’s good news on a couple of fronts: First, a 5-kilowatt laser won’t be seen as a threat to the safety of other nations and second, the low-power light beams are less expensive to generate than weapons-grade beams. NASA’s proposal to shoot down space garbage could remove as many as 10 objects a day. The same beams being used to nudge junk out of the sky could help to nudge [satellites into new or optimal position](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sabresat), which would lead to a big cost savings since satellite thrusters would not have to be fueled for trajectory corrections. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.0/10 - Popularity: 3% | Activity: 19% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Laser Trash Removal:** NASA's use of lasers to remove space garbage could lead to new opportunities for the development of laser technology for waste management purposes. - **Orbit Optimization:** NASA's use of laser beams to nudge satellites into new or optimal positions creates the opportunity for new innovations in satellite thruster technology. - **Low-power Light Beams:** NASA's use of less expensive, low-power light beams for space garbage removal could lead to new opportunities for energy-efficient laser technology. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Space Technology:** The development and advancement of laser technology could revolutionize the space industry by providing cost-effective solutions for waste disposal and satellite positioning. - **Waste Management:** The use of laser technology for trash removal could transform the waste management industry by providing an innovative and cost-effective solution for removing trash. - **Renewable Energy:** The use of low-power light beams for space garbage removal could present new opportunities for renewable energy technology, as it could reduce the demand for energy from traditional power sources. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Artificial Meteor Shower Displays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meteor-shower-display.md) - [Digital Laser-Powered Blaster Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-tag-set.md) - [Power-Beaming Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-recharging-system.md) - [Laser-Controlled Military Drones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lasercontrolled-military-drone.md) - [Automated Cleaning Units](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-photonics.md) - [Tiny Animated Laser Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laserabc-laser-show-projector.md) - [Gamified Trash Pickers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rubbish-beam.md) - [Festive Light Painting Techniques](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/light-painting-1.md) - [Breakthrough Graphene Batteries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graphene-battery.md)