Laser technology to protect critical infrastructure from lightning strikes

Lightning strikes can cause substantial damage to buildings and critical infrastructure, such as airports. To mitigate this risk, one EU project is attempting to use powerful laser technology to control where lightning strikes. If successful, the resulting laser lightning rod could help save money – and lives. Check out this video.

It is said that lightning never strikes the same place twice. But just one strike can be enough to cause substantial damage. Not only do lightning strikes kill up to 24 000 people every year, they’re also responsible for power outages, forest fires, and structural damage.

When lightning strikes important infrastructure and sensitive sites like airports and rocket launch pads, the result can be billions of euros in damage. To mitigate this risk, the EU-funded LLR project has set out to do what was once considered impossible: control lightning.