The game asteroids may become a reality and these scientists think a space laser may be necessary.

If a team of astronomers has its way, the International Space Station will be outfitted with a spiffy laser-wielding telescope. No, no, hold on—it’s not to kill aliens or rebel civilizations. It’s to clean up a huge mess.

If anything rivals the human drive for exploration, it is the apparent need to leave a spectacular plume of trash in our wake. In space, the problem is becoming acute. Decades of discarded satellites and unchecked collisions have left some 3,000 tons of debris in orbit. That’s roughly 15 blue whales, 600 elephants, or 1,500 cars.

Let’s find out more about their planning on the next page

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