UK launches world-first mission to remove two defunct satellites by 2032
UKPulse Health Desk
The UK government has committed over £60 million to a new mission aimed at clearing space junk, which poses a threat to active satellites supporting national security and everyday services.
- The UK Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission will use robotic claws to remove two defunct satellites from orbit by 2032.
- The refuellable spacecraft is scheduled to launch in 2029 from Saxavord Spaceport in Scotland.
- A public competition has begun to name the UK ADR spacecraft.
Britain has launched a national mission to tackle space junk orbiting Earth, which threatens essential services such as GPS and weather forecasts. The government is backing the new spacecraft with more than £60 million to remove two defunct satellites from orbit by 2032.
The UK’s Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission is designed to be the first time a spacecraft has disposed of more than one satellite in this manner. The mission will use giant robotic claws to capture dead satellites and release them into the atmosphere to burn up naturally.
The refuellable spacecraft is intended for long-term use in clearing space debris. It is set to launch in 2029 from Saxavord Spaceport in Scotland. The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is collaborating with ClearSpace UK as its industry delivery partner for the mission.
Why this matters: Hazardous old satellites and debris, travelling at high speeds, are large enough to damage vital space infrastructure, which underpins national security and everyday services.
What this means for you: The mission aims to protect satellites that underpin modern life, including those providing accurate weather forecasts and keeping people connected.