The concept of blasting space debris out of harm's way with ion beams is a promising new approach to Active Debris Removal (ADR). The most prominent project currently exploring this is called ALBATOR, an early-stage concept funded by the European Commission.
The ion beam method offers a non-contact way to de-orbit or move space junk, which is a key advantage over traditional methods that require physically grappling or docking with non-cooperative and often spinning debris.
The ALBATOR Project and Ion Beams
The ALBATOR project, which received a multi-million Euro grant, is investigating the use of a charged particle beam—specifically a Multicharged Ion Beam—to exert a force on a piece of space debris from a distance.
Non-Kinetic Removal: The process is non-kinetic, meaning it does not rely on a physical impact. Instead, the exhaust from the spacecraft's ion propulsion engine is directed at the debris.
The Mechanism: When the highly collimated ion beam strikes the surface of the debris, it transfers a small amount of momentum. This continuous, gentle push slows the object down, lowering its orbit until it re-enters Earth's atmosphere to burn up.
Safety and Versatility: This approach is considered a safer and more versatile solution than physical capture methods like nets or harpoons, as it avoids the risks and technological complexity of docking with an uncontrolled object.
Coordination: The project is coordinated by the French startup Osmos X, with participation from universities in Spain and Germany, and the Luxembourg branch of the company NorthStar. The name ALBATOR is an acronym for "ECR-Based Multicharged Ion Beam for Active Debris Removal and Other Remediation Strategies."
The "Ion Beam Shepherd" Concept
The general concept of using an ion beam to move debris is often referred to as the Ion Beam Shepherd (IBS).
How it Works: The IBS spacecraft would rendezvous with a piece of debris and then use its main propulsion system to counteract the reaction force of the ion thruster. By keeping a constant, safe distance, the IBS directs its ion beam at the target. The beam acts as a virtual, spring-like link to convey a continuous decelerating force, gradually modifying the debris's orbit.
Challenges: One of the main challenges is that the force generated by the ion beam is very small (on the order of hundredths of a newton). Consequently, the process of de-orbiting a piece of debris can take months. Researchers have developed simplified mathematical models to analyze this long process and account for factors like the debris's chaotic rotation, which affects the force of the ion beam.
This technology is still in the early stages of development and a flight date for a technology demonstrator has yet to be announced.
The European Space Agency's short documentary film 'Space Debris: Is it a Crisis?' on the state of space debris premiered at the 9th European Conference on Space Debris on 1 Apr 2025. This video offers context on why new solutions like ion beams are necessary for sustainable space exploration: