Massive 'Deathstar' Laser Could Defend Earth Against Asteroid Threats

Asteroids, watch out. You may have met your match. Two California scientists have proposed creating a "Deathstar"-type laser system that could blast massive asteroids and other incoming threats from space.

Announced only days after the 143,000-ton asteroid, 2012 DA14, narrowly missed Earth as it soared just 17,150 miles above its surface, the new plan would create an orbital defense system that would eliminate Earth-bound threats. That could be useful considering that meteorite which slammed into Russia last Friday, injuring over 1,000 individuals as glass shattered from the resulting blast.

The system, which the scientists Philip Lubin and Gary Hughes have dubbed Directed Energy Solar Targeting of Asteroids (DE-STAR), converts the power of the sun into a massive phased laser beam array. This laser beam would then destroy, evaporate or deflect asteroids that posed a threat to our planet. The general idea is based on current technology that is able to convert electrical power to light.

Would this system be feasible? The two California scientists believe so. The DE-STAR system is scalable, which means that the larger it is, the greater its power. It could potentially destroy asteroids the size of five football fields. However, the system would have to start the endeavor about a year before the giant reached Earth.

"There are large asteroids and comets that cross the Earth's orbit, and some very dangerous ones to hit the Earth eventually," said Hughes in a news release. "Many have hit in the past and many will hit in the future. We should feel compelled to do something about the risk. Realistic solutions need to be considered, and this is definitely one of those."

The DE-STAR's talents aren't only limited to destroying asteroids, though. The researchers say that the system could be used for deep space exploration due to its power source. It could accelerate interplanetary travel speed and power deep space travel advanced ion drive systems. The system could potentially propel a 10-ton spacecraft at near the speed of light.

Sound too out of this world? Hughes was quick to note that, in fact, the technology for this system already exists. In a news release, he said, "All the components pretty much exist today. Maybe not quite at the scale that we'd need--scaling up would be a challenge--but the basic elements are all there and ready to go."

Of course, the idea for the DE-STAR is currently still theoretical. It will be quite some time before an actual, working DE-STAR could be seen in orbit--if ever.