Brief
UK signs $81 million deal with ClearSpace for space‑junk‑collecting robot
The UK Space Agency will fund a £61.3 million robot claw to remove two dead satellites from orbit, launching from Scotland in 2029.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The UK Space Agency announced on Wednesday that it has signed an $81 million (£61.3 million) contract with aerospace manufacturer ClearSpace to build a robotic claw for active debris removal.
What happened
The contract, reported by GeoNews, will see ClearSpace produce a set of four specialised grabbing arms that can latch onto defunct satellites and guide them into the lower atmosphere for incineration. The UK’s Active Debris Removal (ADR) programme plans to launch the robot from Scotland in 2029, with a target of destroying two dead orbiters by 2032.
What the reports add
According to the agency’s statement, the mission will be the first to dispose of more than one satellite using a single spacecraft. The robot’s design includes refuelable satellites that can be parked in a safe orbit for future clean‑up missions.
What was said
UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd said, "Space junk and debris pose an immense and growing challenge, but with our home‑grown expertise, the UK is determined to lead the global effort to clean up space," as reported by the New York Post. Alice Bunn, co‑director of the UK Space Agency, added, "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."
How it came about
The contract follows the UK government’s broader push to address the growing risk that space debris poses to satellites that provide GPS, communications and weather data. While the UK’s space budget is modest compared with larger programmes, officials say the ADR initiative aims to position the country as a leader in sustainable space operations.
Key facts
- The UK Space Agency signed an $81 million (£61.3 million) contract with ClearSpace. (nypost.com)
- The robot will launch from Scotland in 2029 and aim to remove two dead satellites by 2032. (nypost.com)
- The claw will use four specialised grabbing arms to capture debris and guide it into the lower atmosphere. (nypost.com)
- UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd highlighted the mission as a global leadership effort. (nypost.com)
- Alice Bunn said the ADR technologies will place the UK at the forefront of new space services. (nypost.com)
Sources
- [1] nypost.com — originally reported as “World’s first space junk-collecting robot claw underway to combat deadly amount of trash in orbit”
