Abstract
Since the invention of the laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) in 1960 by Theodore Maiman, they have become standard tools in various applications both in fundamental and applied research, industry (LIDAR, laser scanners), and medicine (eye surgery, cosmetic surgery). Lasers can be divided into four main groups: solid-state (including fiber) lasers, semiconductor (diode) lasers, gas lasers (including chemical and excimer), and dye lasers.
However, lasers that can be scaled up to high power and considered as possible candidates for the space applications discussed in this volume come from three main groups: solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, and laser diodes (and marginally also CO2 lasers). As expected, different laser systems, either in continuous-wave operation or in pulsed operation, are useful for different applications.
The four applications discussed in this book, deflecting asteroids, orbital debris ranging or removal, asteroid (space) mining, and propulsion systems for solar system or interstellar travel, require different approaches.