Key points
- The UK Space Agency awarded ClearSpace UK a £61 million contract, reported as about $81 million, to develop and build two deorbit spacecraft.
- The craft will use autonomous guidance, computer vision, and robotic arms to capture failed satellites before placing them on decaying orbits for atmospheric destruction.
- The missions are scheduled to launch from SaxaVord in the Shetland Islands between 2029 and 2032, with their names to be selected through a competition.
Context
The European Space Agency estimates that Earth orbit contains 35,000 to 50,000 debris objects larger than 10 centimetres, including up to 3,500 inactive satellites. Even relatively small fragments can destroy active spacecraft at extreme speed and generate further debris. ClearSpace UK also plans to develop its spacecraft as platforms for commercial servicing, assembly and orbital manufacturing missions.
What this means for you
Not yet happened
Für die Arbeit an Legacy-Systemen entsteht kein unmittelbarer technischer Auftrag; die Meldung verdeutlicht lediglich die wachsende Bedeutung der orbitalen Infrastruktur.
Who benefits: Niemand aus dem Leserkreis hat wegen dieser Meldung akuten Handlungsbedarf.
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