While lasers offer a highly cost-effective way to destroy cheap drone swarms for under US$10 a shot, they face severe weather and range limitations. In future air wars, lasers will not replace missiles entirely but will instead form a vital layered defence to conserve ammunition.


While lasers offer a highly cost-effective way to destroy cheap drone swarms for under US$10 a shot, they face severe weather and range limitations. In future air wars, lasers will not replace missiles entirely but will instead form a vital layered defence to conserve ammunition.

Can lasers replace missiles in the next air war?

Iron Beam is designed for short-range threats within 10km, as of now it is not for hypersonic missiles. Because hypersonic weapons travel 2 miles per second leaving almost no reaction time. As of now lasers are limited to line-of-sight engagement with horizon constraints. 

Iron Beam is designed for short-range threats within 10 km, as of now it is not for hypersonic missiles. Because hypersonic weapons travel 2 miles per second leaving almost no reaction time. As of now lasers are limited to line-of-sight engagement with horizon constraints.&nbsp;

Can Iron Beam stop hypersonic missiles?

Iron Beam lasers can focus on coin-sized area which enables football-sized target engagement. Thermal imaging detects drone heat signatures from motors and batteries. System scans thousands times per second capturing speed and altitude. 

Iron Beam lasers can focus on coin-sized area which enables football-sized target engagement. Thermal imaging detects drone heat signatures from motors and batteries. System scans thousands times per second capturing speed and altitude.&nbsp;

Iron Beam’s laser accuracy: How it can targets objects smaller than a football

Japan has successfully launched a spacecraft designed to inspect and potentially remove man-made space debris from around the Earth, said a statement from Astroscale Japan on Monday. 
 
The Active Debris Removal has been launched by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J). As per an AFP news agency report, it will rendezvous with and examine a Japanese H2A rocket remnant that has been in space for 15 years. The H2A rocket body, about the size of a bus, was launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2009. Its precise location and orbital position are not known.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-debris-cloud-has-been-growing-in-a-distant-star-system-due-to-a-massive-collision-between-two-exoplanets-691648">Debris cloud growing in a distant star system after massive collision between two exoplanets</a>

<h2>Debris removal</h2>

Launched from New Zealand, the ADRAS-J spacecraft has already made contact and is ready to begin operations, said project manager Eijiro Atarashi in a statement.

Using observation data from Earth, the estimated location of the H2A rocket body will be determined, and ADRAS-J will approach it "from a safe distance" to gather images and assess its condition and movements.

Selected by JAXA for its debris removal programme, ADRAS-J, as per Astroscale is the first spacecraft of its kind, which aims to remove large debris of Japanese origin in collaboration with private companies.

<h2>Space debris</h2>

As per the European Space Agency (ESA) estimates, there are around one million pieces of debris larger than a centimetre in orbit. These pieces of debris, which are big enough to "disable a spacecraft" pose a big threat.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-successfully-launches-new-h3-rocket-following-setback-last-year-691091">Japan successfully launches new H3 rocket following setback last year</a>

The build-up of space debris, including used satellites and rocket parts, has been a growing concern since the space age began. Proposed solutions include using lasers to push debris into new orbits and Astroscale's space "tow-truck," which employs a magnet to collect and move out-of-service satellites.

The ADRAS-J mission follows Japan's successful launch of its new flagship H3 rocket on Saturday, after years of delays and previous failed attempts. Additionally, Japan achieved a successful, albeit slightly off-kilter, unmanned probe landing on the Moon last month, making it the fifth country to accomplish a "soft" lunar landing.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japan has successfully launched a spacecraft designed to inspect and potentially remove man-made space debris from around the Earth, said a statement from Astroscale Japan on Monday.

Japan has successfully launched a spacecraft designed to inspect and potentially remove man-made space debris from around the Earth, said a statement from Astroscale Japan on Monday. The Active Debris Removal has been launched by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J). As per an AFP news agency report, it will rendezvous with and examine a Japanese H2A rocket remnant that has been in space for 15 years. The H2A rocket body, about the size of a bus, was launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) in 2009. Its precise location and orbital position are not known. Also read | Debris cloud growing in a distant star system after massive collision between two exoplanets Debris removal Launched from New Zealand, the ADRAS-J spacecraft has already made contact and is ready to begin operations, said project manager Eijiro Atarashi in a statement. Using observation data from Earth, the estimated location of the H2A rocket body will be determined, and ADRAS-J will approach it "from a safe distance" to gather images and assess its condition and movements. Selected by JAXA for its debris removal programme, ADRAS-J, as per Astroscale is the first spacecraft of its kind, which aims to remove large debris of Japanese origin in collaboration with private companies. Space debris As per the European Space Agency (ESA) estimates, there are around one million pieces of debris larger than a centimetre in orbit. These pieces of debris, which are big enough to "disable a spacecraft" pose a big threat. Also read | Japan successfully launches new H3 rocket following setback last year The build-up of space debris, including used satellites and rocket parts, has been a growing concern since the space age began. Proposed solutions include using lasers to push debris into new orbits and Astroscale's space "tow-truck," which employs a magnet to collect and move out-of-service satellites. The ADRAS-J mission follows Japan's successful launch of its new flagship H3 rocket on Saturday, after years of delays and previous failed attempts. Additionally, Japan achieved a successful, albeit slightly off-kilter, unmanned probe landing on the Moon last month, making it the fifth country to accomplish a "soft" lunar landing. (With inputs from agencies)

Japan launches debris removal spacecraft to tackle space junk

With flashing lasers, honking horns and choking&nbsp;smoke&nbsp;from burning tyres, the latest tactics used by Palestinian protesters are dusk till dawn rallies to make life unbearable for Israeli&nbsp;settlers.

"They will not stay on our land," said one protester, a scarf wrapped around his face to conceal his identity from Israeli troops, near the small Palestinian town of Beita in the occupied West Bank.

Across the valley is the newly built Israeli&nbsp;settlers' outpost of&nbsp;Eviatar.

Some 50 families arrived last month, erecting huts and tents and bringing in trailer caravans in defiance of international law and even Israeli restrictions.

"When they set up their base... we thought they would stay a day or two," said Raad, a young man from Beita with a thick black beard, who declined to give his second name for fear of arrest.

But in less than 48 hours, "they put in place more than 20 caravans -- which means that they intend to stay," he added.

Palestinians&nbsp;hold regular protests on Fridays, the weekly day of rest, against Israel's occupation of the West Bank, which stretches back to the Six-Day War of 1967.

But in recent days, the residents of Beita -- a town of some 17,00 people south of Nablus -- have switched tactics.

Instead of mobilising during the day, they hold nighttime protests to keep the&nbsp;settlers&nbsp;awake.

'Carcinogenic&nbsp;smoke'

Jewish&nbsp;settlers&nbsp;arrived on the hill outside Beita in early May.

Soon after, daily protests began, which repeatedly ended in clashes with Israeli troops.

Four&nbsp;Palestinians&nbsp;including a teenager have been killed, and more than 300 injured, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.

According to villagers, five people have been arrested since the night rallies began.

When the evening light slants through the olive trees, trucks arrive piled with tyres, and young men drag them onto roaring pyres.

The sky turns dark, and the air unbreathable, the wind blowing it towards the outpost.

Later, protesters start small fires and wave burning torches, lighting the hillside opposite the settlement with a terrifying wall of flames.

Some direct intense green laser beams towards the settlement, dancing the light at the windows.

Others set off fireworks, the explosions echoing above.

Tsvi Succot, one of the outpost's founders, called the protests "simply crazy", in a post on Twitter.

"We're living in a cloud of carcinogenic&nbsp;smoke...&nbsp;Kids are coughing and getting sick," Succot said.

"They're talking about evicting us, destroying our community. This can't go on. It's their village that should be destroyed."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/go-to-india-or-us-philippines-president-rodrigo-duterte-warns-anti-vaxxers-393537">Also Read |&nbsp;'Go to India or US': Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte warns anti-vaxxers</a>

Test for new government&nbsp;

Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank -- where some 650,000 Israelis now live -- are illegal.

But Eviatar, named after a settler stabbed to death near Beita by a Palestinian in 2013, also breaches all Israeli restrictions too.

The first&nbsp;settlers&nbsp;arrived after a young settler was shot dead by a Palestinian nearby.

Soon after, daily protests began.

Defence Minister Benny Gantz ordered the settlement be removed, but the decision was frozen by Benjamin Netanyahu, then prime minister.

Earlier this month, Netanyahu was ousted by right-wing nationalist Naftali Bennett.

But while Bennett himself once led a settler organisation, he is now the prime minister of an ideologically disparate coalition government with sharply divided opinions.

The settlement could pose a major political test. It is "bad for the possibility of future peace", Israeli anti-occupation group&nbsp;Peace Now said in a statement.

"A small group of people is creating facts on the ground that affect dramatically Israel's security and its foreign policy without any authority," Peace Now added. "The new government must not accept that."

'Guardians of the Mountain'

The protesters are convinced their tactic will work.

"They will leave," said Ghaleb Abu Zaitoun, 77, contemplating the thick&nbsp;smoke, a white keffiyeh scarf around his face.

"This peaceful action will force them to leave," he added. "It is better than a physical confrontation because we do not lose our young people."

Many of the men -- generally considerably younger than Zaitoun -- wear scarves around their faces, and shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Guardians of the Mountain" on their backs.

One young man, his face masked and clothes smeared in soot, rolled another tyre into the flames.

"We have weapons, we could use them," he said, but he added that the strength of the protest was that it was carried&nbsp;out&nbsp;by local residents, not militia forces.

"We will continue to do this until the&nbsp;smoke&nbsp;from the rubber hits their rooms," he said.

When the&nbsp;Palestinians&nbsp;come too close to the outpost, Israeli soldiers fire tear gas to drive them back.

Then as dawn breaks, everyone goes home to catch some sleep, ready to start once again at dusk.

With flashing lasers, honking horns and choking smoke from burning tyres, the latest tactics used by Palestinian protesters are dusk till dawn rallies to make life unbearable for Israeli settlers.

With flashing lasers, honking horns and choking smoke from burning tyres, the latest tactics used by Palestinian protesters are dusk till dawn rallies to make life unbearable for Israeli settlers. "They will not stay on our land," said one protester, a scarf wrapped around his face to conceal his identity from Israeli troops, near the small Palestinian town of Beita in the occupied West Bank. Across the valley is the newly built Israeli settlers' outpost of Eviatar. Some 50 families arrived last month, erecting huts and tents and bringing in trailer caravans in defiance of international law and even Israeli restrictions. "When they set up their base... we thought they would stay a day or two," said Raad, a young man from Beita with a thick black beard, who declined to give his second name for fear of arrest. But in less than 48 hours, "they put in place more than 20 caravans -- which means that they intend to stay," he added. Palestinians hold regular protests on Fridays, the weekly day of rest, against Israel's occupation of the West Bank, which stretches back to the Six-Day War of 1967. But in recent days, the residents of Beita -- a town of some 17,00 people south of Nablus -- have switched tactics. Instead of mobilising during the day, they hold nighttime protests to keep the settlers awake. 'Carcinogenic smoke' Jewish settlers arrived on the hill outside Beita in early May. Soon after, daily protests began, which repeatedly ended in clashes with Israeli troops. Four Palestinians including a teenager have been killed, and more than 300 injured, the Palestinian Red Crescent said. According to villagers, five people have been arrested since the night rallies began. When the evening light slants through the olive trees, trucks arrive piled with tyres, and young men drag them onto roaring pyres. The sky turns dark, and the air unbreathable, the wind blowing it towards the outpost. Later, protesters start small fires and wave burning torches, lighting the hillside opposite the settlement with a terrifying wall of flames. Some direct intense green laser beams towards the settlement, dancing the light at the windows. Others set off fireworks, the explosions echoing above. Tsvi Succot, one of the outpost's founders, called the protests "simply crazy", in a post on Twitter. "We're living in a cloud of carcinogenic smoke... Kids are coughing and getting sick," Succot said. "They're talking about evicting us, destroying our community. This can't go on. It's their village that should be destroyed." Also Read | 'Go to India or US': Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte warns anti-vaxxers Test for new government Under international law, all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank -- where some 650,000 Israelis now live -- are illegal. But Eviatar, named after a settler stabbed to death near Beita by a Palestinian in 2013, also breaches all Israeli restrictions too. The first settlers arrived after a young settler was shot dead by a Palestinian nearby. Soon after, daily protests began. Defence Minister Benny Gantz ordered the settlement be removed, but the decision was frozen by Benjamin Netanyahu, then prime minister. Earlier this month, Netanyahu was ousted by right-wing nationalist Naftali Bennett. But while Bennett himself once led a settler organisation, he is now the prime minister of an ideologically disparate coalition government with sharply divided opinions. The settlement could pose a major political test. It is "bad for the possibility of future peace", Israeli anti-occupation group Peace Now said in a statement. "A small group of people is creating facts on the ground that affect dramatically Israel's security and its foreign policy without any authority," Peace Now added. "The new government must not accept that." 'Guardians of the Mountain' The protesters are convinced their tactic will work. "They will leave," said Ghaleb Abu Zaitoun, 77, contemplating the thick smoke, a white keffiyeh scarf around his face. "This peaceful action will force them to leave," he added. "It is better than a physical confrontation because we do not lose our young people." Many of the men -- generally considerably younger than Zaitoun -- wear scarves around their faces, and shirts emblazoned with the slogan "Guardians of the Mountain" on their backs. One young man, his face masked and clothes smeared in soot, rolled another tyre into the flames. "We have weapons, we could use them," he said, but he added that the strength of the protest was that it was carried out by local residents, not militia forces. "We will continue to do this until the smoke from the rubber hits their rooms," he said. When the Palestinians come too close to the outpost, Israeli soldiers fire tear gas to drive them back. Then as dawn breaks, everyone goes home to catch some sleep, ready to start once again at dusk.

Tyres, fires, lasers: Palestinians smoke out settlers

Hong Kong Is Bracing For A Fresh Confrontation Between The Protesters & The Police. The civil unrest in Hong Kong deepens. Hundreds of protesters gathered near the space museum shining 'laser' beams. The novel protest was done to mark the unlawful arrest of a university student who was buying a laser point. In fact the situation could worsen as another weekend approaches. Palki sums up the development.

WION Gravitas: Hong Kong civil unrest escalates

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