Technology
ExoPulse's two-phase architecture moves from passive observation to active mitigation, all built on commercially available hardware and transparent decision-making.
Phase 1
Laser Ranging and Debris Cataloguing
ExoPulse Phase 1 deploys ground-based and space-based laser ranging stations that emit precisely timed laser pulses toward catalogued and uncatalogued debris objects. By measuring the round-trip time of reflected photons with sub-nanosecond precision, the system builds high-fidelity orbital element sets far more accurate than radar-derived tracks.
This enhanced accuracy translates directly into better conjunction predictions. Where current systems provide meaningful warnings 12 to 24 hours before a potential collision, ExoPulse's refined ephemerides extend that window to seven days or more. Operators gain time to evaluate options, coordinate with other stakeholders, and execute fuel-optimal maneuvers rather than panic burns.
Phase 2
Active Debris Nudging via Photon Pressure
Phase 2 introduces a controlled escalation: using sustained, focused laser illumination to impart momentum on small debris objects through photon pressure. While the force per photon is minuscule, continuous illumination over multiple passes accumulates enough delta-v to alter an object's orbit by meters, then kilometers.
This approach avoids the complexity and risk of physical contact. No rendezvous, no grappling, no risk of creating additional fragments. Photon pressure nudging works best on the smallest, most numerous debris, the population segment that active removal missions cannot economically address.
7-Day Intervention Window
The difference between a 24-hour and a 7-day warning is not incremental; it is transformational. With a week of lead time, operators can simulate multiple avoidance scenarios, coordinate with neighboring satellite operators to avoid secondary conflicts, and choose maneuvers that minimize fuel expenditure. The result is longer satellite lifespans, lower operational costs, and dramatically reduced collision risk.
COTS Hardware Strategy
ExoPulse is built on commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) components wherever possible. Industrial laser systems, standard optical assemblies, and commodity compute hardware form the backbone of the platform. This strategy keeps procurement timelines short, costs predictable, and supply chains resilient. When a component improves in the commercial market, ExoPulse benefits immediately without costly redesign cycles.
Explainable AI
Every conjunction assessment, risk score, and maneuver recommendation produced by ExoPulse comes with a full decision audit trail. The system exposes which data sources contributed to each conclusion, what confidence intervals apply, and how alternative interpretations were ranked. Operators are never asked to trust a black box. This transparency is essential for regulatory acceptance, inter-agency coordination, and building the institutional trust required for eventual autonomous operations.