Britain is launching a world-first mission to clear dangerous space debris orbiting Earth. A spacecraft will use giant robotic claws to grab old satellites which threaten to smash into vital space infrastructure that we rely on for GPS, weather forecasts and communications.
The spacecraft will launch from Scotland in 2029 and destroy two defunct satellites by 2032 by releasing them lower into our atmosphere where they will naturally burn up. If successful, it will be the first time a spacecraft has disposed of more than one satellite in this way. There are hundreds of thousands of tracked space junk orbiting at speeds exceeding 17,000 miles an hour.
UK expertise leads global cleanup effort
After its first mission, it is hoped Britain's £60 million satellite catching robot will sweep space for years to come. A public competition is being launched today to name the spacecraft.
UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: "Space junk and debris pose an immense and growing challenge but with our homegrown expertise, the UK is determined to lead the global effort to clean up space."
"By backing this world-first mission, we will protect the satellites that underpin modern life from keeping us connected with loved ones and delivering accurate weather forecasts to keep our country safe."
Protecting vital satellite infrastructure
The government says hazardous old satellites and their remnants threaten the thousands of active satellites which underpin national security and everyday services. It says swift action now is needed to tackle the problem.
The UK's Active Debris Removal mission (UK ADR) is creating a refuellable spacecraft with future-use in mind. It will launch from Saxavord Spaceport in Scotland, which recently received £30 million government funding to maintain Britain's launch capability.
The mission is part of UK attempts to be at the forefront of a new in-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) sector, predicted to grow into a billion-dollar industry within the next decade. Currently, satellites are single use so when they run out of fuel or suffer a fault, they are discarded. Developing the technology to repair, refuel and protect satellites and spacecraft is now a priority for the UK under the recently published Space Strategy.
Building a sustainable space future
Dr Alice Bunn, co-director of the UK Space Agency, said: "This mission is about much more than removing debris. It is about developing the capabilities that will enable future servicing, assembly and manufacturing in orbit."
"The technologies being developed through ADR will help establish the UK's position at the forefront of a new generation of space services while supporting a sustainable future for activities in space."
Protecting the space environment is critical for the future of the UK's space sector which is worth £18.6 billion and supports 55,000 skilled jobs. The UK Space Agency is working with ClearSpace UK as its industry delivery partner on the mission.
Rob Atchison, managing director of ClearSpace UK, said: "UK ADR will be delivered here in the UK. Our team brings together engineers and specialists from across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as allies and partners."
"Our next step is to design, build and test a spacecraft that can get close, safely, to an object never designed to be caught, and take control of it. We will do that with partners across the UK supply chain, working towards operations in 2029."
UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd added: "This is our Space Strategy in action, giving British firms the support and clear direction they need to turn bold ideas into cutting-edge innovation, strengthen our world-class satellite sector and drive economic growth across the country."
