UK Space Agency awards £61 million contract for orbital debris removal

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has awarded a £61 million (approximately US$81 million) contract to ClearSpace UK to remove two defunct British satellites from orbit. Scheduled to take place between 2029 and 2032, the mission will utilize manipulator spacecraft launched from the Shetland Islands.

The initiative addresses the growing crisis of space debris, which includes an estimated 35,000 to 50,000 pieces of debris larger than 10 cm orbiting Earth. Such debris poses a significant risk to operational satellites due to high orbital velocities, which can turn even small fragments into destructive projectiles.

This mission aligns with international responsibilities where nations are held accountable for the inactive spacecraft they launch. By removing these assets, the UK aims to mitigate the risk of a collision cascade that could render critical orbital bands unusable.