Revolutionizing space security: The Laser Patroller Satellite – A technological marvel of modern warfare

Authors

  • Victor Adrian VEVERA
  • Ulpia Elena BOTEZATU Romanian Space Agency; National Institute for Research & Developement in Informatics – ICI Bucharest, Romania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-23-18

Keywords:

Laser Patroller Satellite;, space debris;, space surveillance;, space situational awareness;, space governance; international cooperation.

Abstract

This comprehensive article analyses the Laser Patroller Satellite (LPS) and its capabilities for enhancing security and safety in space exploration. The article is organized into five sections. Section 1 presents the context of the growing problem of space debris and the need for effective solutions. In Section 2, the features of the LPS, including its advanced sensors and tracking capabilities, are discussed. Section 3 elaborates on the capabilities of the satellite, such as space debris monitoring and tracking, space traffic management, debris removal, space situational awareness, and space exploration. Section 4 discusses the potential applications of the LPS in various areas, such as space debris mitigation, space security, and governance of space. Section 5 examines the implications of the LPS for international relations, including space policy, diplomacy, and governance. The article highlights the need for effective space governance frameworks to ensure the responsible and sustainable use of emerging technologies like the LPS, which raises concerns about privacy and the use of surveillance technology. In conclusion, the LPS is a powerful technology that has significant implications for space security, diplomacy, and governance, and it is crucial for nations to work together to develop policies that promote the responsible and sustainable use of space for the benefit of all

References

Al Amiri, S. 2023. ”Governing space.” New Scientist 257 (3423): 27. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0262-4079(23)00157-4.

Association of Space Explorers. 2020. ”Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age.” https://www.space-explorers.org/resources/Documents/Mitigation%20of%20Orbital%20Debris%20in%20the%20New%20Space%20Age-ASE%202020.pdf.

Botezatu, U.E. 2021. „Conflictele hibride și tehnologiile spațiale: implicații privind creșterea rezilienței societale.” În Managementul sustenabilităţii şi sustenabilitatea managerială între paradigme clasice şi moderne, de D.E. Ranf, O.M.C. Bucoveţchi și D. Badea, 234-245. Sibiu: Editura Academiei Forțelor Terestre „Nicolae Bălcescu”.

Botezatu, U.E., and M.I. Piso. 2020. ”Vital Outer Space Infrastructures: Romania’s Pursuits and Achievements.” În Space Infrastructures: From Risk to Resilience Governance, de U. Tatar, A.V. Gheorghe, F.K. Omer și J. Muylaert, 329 – 336. doi:10.3233/NICSP200033.

Budning, K., A. Wilner, and G. Cote. 2021. ”A view from above: Space and the Canadian Armed Forces.” International Journal 76 (4): 594–605. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/00207020211067944.

Choi, S.H., and R.S. Pappa. 2020. ”Assessment Study of Small Space Debris Removal by Laser Satellites.” https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20120009369/downloads/20120009369.pdf.

Dawson, L. 2017. ”The politics and perils of space exploration: Who will compete, cooperate, dominate?” doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-38813-7.

European Space Agency. 2020. ”The current state of space debris.” https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Space_Debris/The_current_state_of_space_debris.

—. n.d. ”Space debris by the numbers.” Accesat 12 mai 2023. https://www.esa.int/Safety_Security/Space_Debris/Space_debris_by_the_numbers.

Finkleman, D. 2010. ”Chapter 12 – Space situational awareness and space traffic management standardization.” Vol. 144, în Space Safety Regulations and Standards, de Joseph N. Pelton și Ram S. Jakhu, 137-145. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-1-85617-752-8.10012-1.

Fix, A., G. Naletto, I. Hutchinson, N. Karafolas, W. Riede, A. Heliere, B. Menzies, and H. Riris. 2019. ”Space Lidar and Space Optics.” CEAS Space Journal 11: 359–362. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12567-019-00288-2.

Gokon, H., S. Koshimura, J. Post, C. Geiß, E. Stein, and M. Matsuoka. 2014. ”Detecting building damage caused by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake tsunami using TerraSAR-X data.”

IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Quebec City, QC, Canada. 1851-1854.

doi:doi: 10.1109/IGARSS.2014.6946816.

Hays, P.L. 2020. ”International Space Security Setting: An Introduction.” în Handbook of Space Security, de P.L. Hays. Springer, Cham. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22786-9_60-2.

Hebert, K.D. 2014. ”Regulation of Space Weapons: Ensuring Stability and Continued Use of Outer Space.” Astropolitics 1-26. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14777622.2014.890487.

Jakhu, R.S., and J. N. Pelton. 2021. ”Global Space Governance: An International Study.” doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54364-2.

Johnson-Freese, J. S. 2007. “China’s Space Ambitions.” doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/10670564.2018.1497035.

—. 2021. ”China’s Race to Space: A Conversation with Joan Johnson-Freese.” https://www.csis.org/podcasts/chinapower/chinas-race-space-conversation-joan-johnson-freese.

Klinkrad, H. 2023 . ”Space debris: challenges and opportunities.” https://www.mdpi.com/journal/aerospace/special_issues/Space_Debris_Removal_Challenges_Opportunities.

—. 2006. Space debris: models and risk analysis. Springer Science & Business Media.Liou, J.C., N.L. Johnson, and N. Hill. 2014. ”The NASA orbital debris engineering model ORDEM 3.0.” Proceedings of the 6th European Conference on Space Debris, 369-374.

NASA. 2021. ”NASA’s efforts to mitigate the risks posed by Orbital Debris.” https://oig.nasa.gov/docs/IG-21-011.pdf.

Oliveira Martins, B., K. Lidén, and M.G. Jumbert. 2022. ”Border security and the digitalisation of sovereignty: insights from EU borderwork.” European Security 31 (3: Digital/ Sovereignty and European Security Integration): 475-494. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/09662

2022.2101884.

Papadimitriou, A., M. Adriaensen, N. Antoni, and C. Giannopapa. 2019. ”Perspective on space and security policy, programmes and governance in Europe.” Acta Astronautica 161: 183-191. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2019.05.015.

Schall, W.O. 1991. ”Orbital debris removal by laser radiation.” Acta Astronautica 24: 343-351. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/0094-5765(91)90184-7.

Scotti, V., M. Giannini, and F. Cioffi. 2020. ”Enhanced flood mapping using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, hydraulic modelling, and social media: A case study of Hurricane Harvey (Houston, TX).” Journal of Flood Risk Management 13 (4): 18-62.

doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jfr3.12647.

Shen, S., X. Jin, and C. Hao. 2014. ”Cleaning space debris with a space-based laser system.” Chinese Journal of Aeronautics 27 (4): 805-811. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cja.2014.05.002.

Słomczyńska, I., and P. Frankowski. 2016. ”Patrolling Power Europe: The Role of Satellite Observation in EU Border Management.” În EU Borders and Shifting Internal Security, de R. Bossong și H. Carrapico. Cham: Springer. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17560-7_4.

Sormani, M.C., P. Bianco, and A. P. Rossi. 2016. ”Space debris detection and monitoring using laser technology: present and future applications.” Journal of Sensors 1-16.

SSPI Association. 2022. ”How satellites make a better world.” doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spacepol.2013.02.004.

Stansbery, Gene. 2021. ”NASA – Orbital Debris Program Office.” https://www.nasa.gov/

sites/default/files/files/OrbitalDebrisProgramOffice.pdf.

Syed, A.A., M. Mujahid, and M.Z.A. Syed. 2021. ”Survey and technological analysis of laser

and its defense applications.” Defence Technology 17 (2): 583-592.

Valsecchi, G.B., and A. Rossi. 2002. ”Analysis of the Space Debris Impacts Risk on the

International Space Station.” Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy (Springer) 83:

–76. doi:https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020174528386.

Weeden, B.C., and V. Sampson. 2020. ”The geopolitics of space security: Implications for

Australia.” Australian Journal of International Affairs 74 (1): 50-70.

Wei, Y., and C. Yang. 2021. ”Space-based technologies for border security and management: A review.” Progress in Aerospace Sciences 122: 101-154.

Wei, Y., Y. Zhang, and Y. He. 2021. ”Space-based surveillance technologies and their maritime security applications.” Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 9 (3): 307-311. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9030307.

Wiser, L., and A. Timiebi. 2023. ”An evolving space governance system: Balancing interests in five policy debates.” Acta Astronautica 203: 537-543. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.11.023.

Zhang, H., M. Long, H. Deng, S. Cheng, Z. Wu, Z. Zhang, A. Zhang, and J. Sun. 2021. ”Developments of Space Debris Laser Ranging Technology Including the Applications of Picosecond Lasers. 2021; 11(21):10080.” Applied Sciences 11 (21). doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/

app112110080.

Zhang, Y., C. Wang, Y. Bai, and J. Guo. 2020. ”Research on the Key Technology of Space based Laser Debris Detection.” Journal of Aerospace Information Systems 17 (3): 163-173.

Zhao, Q., L. Yu, Z. Du, D. Peng, P. Hao, Y. Zhang, and P. Gong. 2022. ”An Overview of the Applications of Earth Observation Satellite Data: Impacts and Future Trends.” Remote Sensing 14: 1863. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14081863.

Zhao, X., Y. Tang, S. Tan, and Q. Wu. 2017. ”Design of laser communication system for space traffic management.” Acta Astron autica 130: 10-17

Downloads

Published

2023-07-07

How to Cite

VEVERA, V. A. ., & BOTEZATU, . U. E. . (2023). Revolutionizing space security: The Laser Patroller Satellite – A technological marvel of modern warfare. BULLETIN OF "CAROL I" NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY, 12(2), 28–42. https://doi.org/10.53477/2284-9378-23-18

Issue

Section

Articles