Application of mode-locked lasers to asteroid characterization and mitigation

The use of ultrashort, frequency-stabilized laser radiation in characterizing near-Earth asteroids is investigated. The shot-noise limited signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) of optical radiation from a space-based transmitter/receiver system is shown to offer the opportunity to exceed the maximum detectable range of existing Earth-based microwave detectors by an order of magnitude or more. It also appears possible to increase the spatial resolution with which an asteroid is characterized over that which is achievable using microwave radiation. Mitigation of near-Earth asteroid threats using ultrashort laser radiation for deflection is also discussed. The role of early detection in mitigating the threat posed by asteroids is discussed.