The UK Space Agency has awarded a £61 million contract to ClearSpace UK to develop two specialized spacecraft. These vehicles are designed to remove two defunct British satellites from orbit that no longer respond to ground commands.
The mission will launch from the SaxaVord spaceport in the Shetland Islands. Each space tug will utilize an autonomous guidance, navigation, and control system, along with computer vision and robotic arms, to capture the target debris.
Once captured, the tug will use its own engines to deorbit the satellite, ensuring it burns up in the atmosphere. Beyond debris removal, the technology serves as a platform for future commercial orbital servicing, assembly, and manufacturing missions.
According to the European Space Agency, there are between 35,000 and 50,000 pieces of debris larger than 10 centimeters in orbit, including up to 3,500 inactive satellites. These objects pose a significant collision risk to active infrastructure.
