Osaka-based EX-Fusion is devising a new plan to tackle the problem of space junk in Earth's orbit, after developing one of the world's most powerful lasers for next-generation power supply.

The diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) laser was built to blast a hydrogen fuel pellet with a high-power beam to trigger the fusion reaction that occurs naturally on the Sun, The Independent reports.

The startup realized that the same technology could be used to de-orbit space debris without sending a laser into space.

"The power of the laser used to destroy space junk is much lower compared to nuclear fusion, but they share technical challenges such as controlling it with special mirrors," said EX-Fusion CEO Kazuki Matsuo.

AGREEMENT SIGNED

It was also noted that this initiative has signed an agreement with EOS Space Systems, an Australian company that closely monitors space junk.

WILL FIRST TARGET SPACE DEBRIS SMALLER THAN 10 CM

Ex-Fusion will initially target space debris smaller than 10 cm, which was previously impossible to hit using ground-based lasers.

The laser will be used to slow the debris until its orbital velocity drops into Earth's atmosphere.

100 TRILLION PIECES OF SPACE JUNK ESTIMATED

It is estimated that there are now as many as 100 trillion pieces of old satellites orbiting the planet, and experts warn that the accumulated debris could damage active satellites, hamper astronomical observations and even prevent rockets from being launched into space.

CALL FROM AVIATION AND SATELLITE COMPANIES

Last year, aerospace and satellite companies called on governments around the world to adopt a "highway code" to tackle the problem.

An international team of scientists has also called for a legally binding agreement to reduce the amount of space debris orbiting the Earth.

"SPACE JUNK SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE PLASTIC POLLUTION IN THE OCEANS"

Writing in the journal Science last March, Dr. Imogen Napper of Plymouth University argued that space debris should be handled in a similar way to plastic pollution in the oceans.

"Given what we have learned from the high seas, we can avoid making the same mistakes and work collectively to prevent this situation in space," Napper wrote.