Chapter 24. Laser Safety
Joe M. Victor, Ph.D.
Laser Safety Officer, Johnson Space Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, Texas

Contents

24.1 Background 733
24.2 Laser Characteristics 735
24.3 Laser Standards 738
24.4 Lasers Used in Space 740
24.5 Design Considerations for Laser Safety 742
24.6 Conclusions 744
There is a safety requirement at NASA for Class 3B and Class 4 lasers that applies to the operation of these devices in space. This requirement is called out in JPG 1700.1 (NASA 1999).

24.1. Background

Before discussing lasers, a brief discussion of the optical spectrum, as well as the biological effects of light on the human body, are given as background.

24.1.1. Optical Spectrum

The optical spectrum is a small portion of the ...

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