Minimum Safe Distances for DE-STAR Space Lasers

TL;DR

This paper explores the design, potential applications, and safety considerations of large-scale space-based laser arrays like DE-STAR, analyzing their capabilities and safe deployment locations to prevent misuse as weapons.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the DE-STAR phased laser array design, its potential for planetary defense and space exploration, and safety strategies for preventing weaponization.

Findings

Feasible safe locations for DE-STAR 0-2 arrays at 1 AU from Sun.

Powerful DE-STAR 4-5 arrays require additional safety measures.

Positioning of lasers without line-of-sight to Earth is unstable, needing correction mechanisms.

Abstract

The prospect of phased laser arrays in space has received considerable attention in recent years, with applications to both planetary defence and space exploration. The most detailed investigation conducted into such a design is that of the DE-STAR phased array, standing for $\textbf{D}$irected $\textbf{E}$nergy $\textbf{S}$ystems for $\textbf{T}$argeting of $\textbf{A}$steroids and explo$\textbf{R}$ation. DE-STAR is a square modular design which exploits the energy created by banks of solar cells in space to generate and amplify the power of a laser beam. A specific DE-STAR design is expressed as DE-STAR n, where 'n' (typically in the range 0 - 4) equates to the log to base 10 of the side, in metres, of a square bank of lasers. With a DE-STAR 4 structure (10 km $\times$ 10 km square) capable of generating a laser beam on the order of tens of gigawatts, clearly there is the potential for such an asset to be deployed as a weapon by targeting locations on Earth. This naturally leads to the question of what effective ways can this possible misuse be removed or at least mitigated, to ensure these powerful space lasers can only be used for their intended purpose, and never malevolent reasons. One solution would be to locate the DE-STAR far enough away so that the laser flux at Earth would be too low. Results indicate that given they should lie 1 au from the Sun, there are feasible locations for DE-STAR 0-2 arrays where there is no danger to Earth. For DE-STAR 4-5, such is their power, safety measures other than those considered here would have to be adopted. Positions in the Solar System where the DE-STAR lasers have no direct line-of-sight with Earth tend to be unstable, and would require regular corrections using an on-board propulsion system, or preferably using push-back from the laser itself.