Space Agency launches £75.6m tender for UK’s first mission to actively remove defunct satellites and debris from orbit.
The UK Space Agency has announced a major new procurement process with the aim of cleaning up space, as part wider efforts to protect space infrastructure and ensure the long-term safety of the orbital environment.
Image: Spacejunk3D, LLC, courtesy of UK Space Agency
It’s estimated that some 140m pieces of space debris smaller than 1cm are currently in orbit round Earth, with more than 54,000 tracked objects larger than 10cm. These are often moving at speed and even tiny pieces can due major damage to satellites – which are, of course, so important to many of the digital services and apps we depend on such as GPS, weather forecasting and emergency communications.
The UK response to this is based on a proposed mission called Active Debris Removal or ADR, in which a specially designed spacecraft equipped with cutting-edge robotic and autonomous navigation technology will capture and safely ‘de-orbit’ two non-functioning UK-licensed satellites from low Earth orbit.
That means guiding the defunct satellites into Earth’s atmosphere where they will burn up.
The mission is currently scheduled to launch by the end of 2028. At this stage, the UK Space Agency is seeking a single supplier to deliver the five-year research and development contract. Some £11m has already been invested since 2021 in feasibility studies and design work.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, says: ‘Actively clearing space debris is a bold step toward a safer, more sustainable orbital environment. This mission showcases the UK’s technical excellence and our commitment to protecting the space systems that modern life depends on. It’s about securing the future of space for everyone, delivering tangible benefits here on Earth, and positioning the UK at the forefront of the in-orbit services market.’
Joanne Wheeler, Director of the Earth & Space Sustainability Initiative, adds: ‘ESSI is very encouraged by this announcement. For the past three years, we have been developing sets of Space Sustainability Principles that will facilitate the establishment of the Space Sustainability Standards to ultimately ensure the sustainable use of outer space, covering the lifecycle of a satellite – from launch to decommissioning. The proposed ADR mission is a significant step in the right direction to achieving such sustainability and governance of ISAM activities, which the UK can lead on.’
Sir Chris Bryant MP, Minister of State at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, says: ‘This mission is a direct example of our Plan for Change in action, delivering innovation, sustainability and economic opportunity through bold investment in future technologies. By tackling the growing threat of space debris head-on, we are protecting the infrastructure that supports everything from national security to everyday connectivity whilst also creating high-skilled jobs and securing the UK’s leadership in the growing space economy.’
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