Towards an engineering station for performing space-debris remediation by means of high-power laser radiation

In this paper, we present an ongoing ESA Space Safety Programme activity called “Orbit Maintenance via Laser Momentum Transfer”, OMLET). The OMLET project is performing a Phase A/B1 study for the development of a Laser Momentum Transfer (LMT) Engineering Station. The Engineering Station, once built, will enable exten sive testing and in-orbit demonstrations in preparation for a future operational network of LMT station for laser based collision avoidance. Focus is given to the LMT Engineering Station as a system, explaining the various subsystems that are needed. Development needs for crit ical technology (e.g. laser sources, beam combination, AO correction of atmospheric effects) are identified. Fi nally, a preliminary concept of operations will be pre sented, followed by a discussion on legal and regulatory aspects for conducting LMT operations/services.