Our Pathfinder application

The SLASH (Solar Laser for Space Debris Harnessing and Energy Transmission) project aims to use concentrated solar technology to redirect sunlight as a highly focused beam to target, nudge, or vaporize space debris. The project's main objectives are:

1. Develop a module to optimize solar energy capture

2. Create software for real-time debris tracking and predictive modeling

3. Unify Ukrainian observational instruments under a standardized network

4. Establish a collaborative platform for space debris management

The 36-month project involves a consortium of LightMirror (Lithuania), Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute (Ukraine), and SYNEST (Greece). The work is divided into 7 work packages covering module entrance design, optical amplification, debris tracking hardware, system integration, control software, a collaborative platform, and project management. Key deliverables include entrance mechanism and optical amplifier designs, debris tracking systems, a coupled module design report, dynamic mapping and tracking software, and a collaborative web platform. The project aims to enhance debris removal efficiency by 98% and reduce costs by 300 times compared to current methods. Potential impacts span scientific understanding, economic and technological advancements in the space industry, and societal benefits through reduced space mission carbon footprints. The project will engage stakeholders, policymakers, and the public through open access publications, a dedicated website, social media, newsletters, and events. The €4 million project budget covers staff effort, travel, equipment, goods and services across the three consortium partners.