Overview
- The UK announced the UK Active Debris Removal (UK ADR) programme on Thursday, signing a government-backed contract with ClearSpace UK and committing just over £60 million to the project.
- The mission will design and build a refuellable robotic spacecraft with large robotic arms to capture two inactive British satellites and guide them into atmospheric re-entry.
- The spacecraft is scheduled to launch in 2029 from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland with planned removals of the first target by 2030 and the second by 2032.
- Officials say the programme will be built in UK supply chains, include a public naming competition, and create specialised jobs in robotics, guidance and mission operations.
- Beyond the two removals, the vehicle’s refuelling and reuse aim to seed a domestic In-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing sector while the programme faces technical tests in close‑approach and capture of objects not designed for servicing.