UK companies receive funding to advance space debris solutions

Once the designs are complete, the teams could receive further funding to see Britain’s first national space debris removal mission launch in 2026.

Over 130 million pieces of space debris are estimated to be orbiting Earth, including old satellites, spent rocket bodies and tools dropped by astronauts. Consequently, space debris is one of the biggest challenges facing the global space sector and the UK Space Agency has committed £102m over three years to deliver capabilities to track objects in space and reduce debris.

In a statement, Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “As our reliance on space technologies increases rapidly and the UK becomes a global hub of satellite design, manufacturing and launch, we are committed to leading efforts to make space more sustainable.

“With 1,700 satellites launched last year alone, the need to safeguard the space environment for the benefit of everyone on Earth has never been more pressing.”