Is possible to use LASER for comet deflection?

Subject: Is possible to use LASER for comet deflection?

Date: Tue Feb 15 08:34:01 2005
Posted by Tomas
Grade level: undergrad School: No school entered.
City: Prague State/Province: No state entered. Country: No country entered.
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1108478041.Ph

Message:


Is possible to use LASER for comet deflection, or  manipulation with? I think 
that it should evaporate some material, which would act as rocket engine.
The real question is, how much energy would be needed for this action, and how 
far can laser beam actually reach with sufficient efficiency (with minimal 
laser diffraction etc.)
Is it possible with some near-term technology?
How big machinery would be needed for this task?

Re: Is possible to use LASER for comet deflection?

Current Queue | Current Queue for Physics | Physics archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics.