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[SITUATION] · [ACTIVE] · [TECHNOLOGY]

2 clusters · 7 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

UK Active Debris Removal mission

Overview

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has awarded a £61 million contract to ClearSpace to conduct an Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission. The project involves designing and operating a robotic spacecraft to capture and deorbit two defunct, UK-registered satellites from low Earth orbit.

Scheduled for launch between 2029 and 2032, the mission will utilize robotic manipulators to grapple non-cooperative objects that lack standardized docking fixtures. The captured assets will be released into lower orbits to burn up in the atmosphere. The initiative aims to address the growing crisis of space debris and mitigate the risk of a collision cascade that could threaten critical orbital bands.

Beyond debris removal, the mission is intended to advance the in-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) market. Space Minister Liz Lloyd stated the initiative supports the UK's space strategy to foster innovation and protect critical space infrastructure.

Entities

ClearSpace · UK Space Agency · ClearSpace UK · European Space Agency · Shetland Islands

Timeline

  1. [TECHNOLOGY] 3 sources
    UK Space Agency awards £61 million contract for orbital debris removal

    The UK Space Agency has contracted ClearSpace UK for a £61 million mission to remove two defunct satellites from orbit between 2029 and 2032 to combat the growing space debris crisis.

  2. [TECHNOLOGY] 4 sources
    UK Space Agency awards £61 million contract to ClearSpace

    ClearSpace has won a £61 million UK Space Agency contract to lead a 2029 mission to remove two defunct satellites using robotic capture technology.

Sources

innovationnewsnetwork.com · moneycab.com · newatlas.com · news.satnews.com · newspaceeconomy.ca · payloadspace.com · world-today-news.com