Accidental illumination of other satellites

[danielhampf]

Hello all,

I keep being asked (every few years or so), if there is a danger of our ranging laser accidently hitting another satellite. Of course we know what we are tracking, and if we are not tracking, the laser is off.

But- satellites may pass in front of each other. Some random third-party satellite may be caught in the beam.

Has anybody ever made a study on this? What is the likelyhood? Especially with stronger laser for space debris or the moon, I suppose you really don't want to catch a down-looking Earth observation or spy satellite?

Thanks!
Daniel