Breakthrough Ideas in Global Governance & Prague Laser SpaceApps Workshop 2021 (Peaceful Use of Lasers in Space)
Abstract
Peaceful Use of Lasers in Space (PULS) is an initiative to help laser technology to advance humanity's flourishing. Ensuring orbital safety of satellites, upon which our daily activities as well as progress of the 17 SDGs depends, can be dramatically improved by laser surveillance and debris removal.
Remote laserinduced analysis of space resources can unlock cislunar economy and human sustainable expansion into space. Lasers can help us reach relativistic speeds with the cleanest space engine, light, as well as protect the Earth from dangerous asteroids.
All these visions require transparent, benign and inclusive governance - PULS. The return of geopolitical rivalry, increasing critical dependence of all aspects of life on space infrastructure, and worsening space traffic management of crowded Earth's orbit, create a dire need for clear rules, effective norms and functioning regimes.
However, the space domain has been highlighted by the proliferation of operating capabilities among new state and non-state actors that has increased the collective action problem over agreeing on space governance. Instead of a wholesome approach to current space governance challenges, a technology-specific approach can compartmentalize arms control into its own specific areas.
One of these areas is laser technology, which offers a plethora of ground-breaking uses in space, from urgent space traffic tracking and space debris removal to space resource utilization and futuristic light sailing at relativistic speeds. However, just like any other powerful technology it can be used as a weapon in an environment without functional norms and rules.
To prevent this, the scientific community, with support by Nobel laureate for physics Gérard Mourou, responded with the Peaceful Use of Lasers in Space (PULS) initiative, to raise awareness of the potential and risks of laser use in space and to open up the discussion about norms and regimes for enabling peaceful utilization of lasers' enormous potential in space.