Space debris mission set to launch from SaxaVord
A competition has also been launched to name the ‘world-first’ mission
A LAUNCH is planned from the SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst in 2029 as part of “world-first” UK Government plans to remove satellite debris from space.
A refuellable spacecraft, backed by more than £60 million of government funding, will use robotic arms to take hold of two defunct satellites to avoid potential collision with other space infrastructure.
The hope is that the process will see the old satellite equipment lowered into the atmosphere, where they will naturally burn up.
It is expected that the process could take until 2032. A competition is open to the public to name the mission.
The UK Space Agency will work alongside delivery partner ClearSpace UK on the project, which is described as the “first of its kind”.
There are an estimated 140 million pieces of space debris smaller than 1cm, and more than 54,000 tracked objects larger than 10cm currently orbiting Earth.
The government said that even “tiny fragments can cause catastrophic damage to satellites”, with “swift action” now needed.
UK space minister Liz Lloyd said: “Space junk and debris pose an immense and growing challenge but with our homegrown expertise, the UK is determined to lead the global effort to clean up space.
“By backing this world first mission, we will protect the satellites that underpin modern life from keeping us connected with loved ones and delivering accurate weather forecasts to keeping our country safe.
“This is our space strategy in action: giving British firms the support and clear direction they need to turn bold ideas into cutting-edge innovation, strengthen our world-class satellite sector and drive economic growth across the country.”
Dr Alice Bunn, co-director of the UK Space Agency, said the mission is about “much more than removing debris”.
“It is about developing the capabilities that will enable future servicing, assembly and manufacturing in orbit,” she said.
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Managing director of ClearSpace UK Rob Atchison said the company’s team brings together engineers and specialists from across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, “as well as allies and partners”.
“Our next step is to design, build and test a spacecraft that can get close, safely, to an object never designed to be caught, and take control of it,” he said.
“We will do that with partners across the UK supply chain, working towards operations in 2029.”
It comes after the UK Government pledged £30 million towards SaxaVord Spaceport to boost plans to for launch.
No launches have yet taken place from the Unst spaceport, with plans for an inaugural lift-off from German rocket company RFA this year postponed.
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