New tender signals shift to contract-driven approach as Britain eyes ‘clean space superpower’ status
THE UK Space Agency has launched a major procurement process for a pioneering mission to clean up space and protect key satellite services. A £75.6 million tender is now open for the nation’s first Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission, designed to remove two defunct UK-licensed satellites from low Earth orbit by 2028.
The mission will use a specially designed spacecraft, built with cutting-edge British robotics and autonomous navigation technology, to safely capture the dead satellites and guide them into the Earth’s atmosphere where they will burn up. The move is part of wider efforts to safeguard systems critical to daily life – including GPS, emergency communications, and weather forecasting – from the growing threat of space debris.
There are currently over 54,000 tracked objects larger than 10cm and an estimated 140 million smaller fragments orbiting Earth. Even tiny pieces can cause catastrophic damage to active satellites.
Sir Chris Bryant, Minister for Space, said: “This mission is a direct example of our Plan for Change in action – delivering innovation, sustainability, and economic opportunity through bold investment in future technologies. We are protecting infrastructure that supports everything from national security to everyday connectivity while creating high-skilled jobs and cementing the UK’s leadership in the growing space economy.”
The tender represents a major shift in strategy, moving from traditional grants to competitive contracts intended to drive private investment and accelerate progress in the In-orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) sector. It also underpins the UK’s 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy, supporting innovation and high-growth industries.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “Actively clearing space debris is a bold step toward a safer, more sustainable orbital environment. This mission showcases the UK’s technical excellence and our commitment to protecting the space systems that modern life depends on.”
The contract, expected to last five years, builds on £11 million already invested since 2021 in early design and feasibility studies. It is one of five priority capabilities identified in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan and aims to deliver a launch-ready mission by 2028.
Joanne Wheeler, Director of the Earth & Space Sustainability Initiative, welcomed the news, saying: “This is a significant step towards long-term sustainability and governance in space. Our Space Sustainability Principles have laid the groundwork, and the ADR mission moves us closer to setting global standards the UK can lead on.”
Industry figures have also praised the announcement. Colin Baldwin, Executive Director at UKspace, said: “Debris is a key factor in planning the future of low Earth orbit. The UK leads in developing solutions, and many of our members are already active in this exciting and growing market.”
Jennifer Jordan-Saifi, CEO of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, added: “Sustainability is no longer an Earth-only mission. We applaud the UK Space Agency’s leadership in addressing the challenge of space debris.”
The UK’s space sector already employs over 52,000 people and generates £18.9 billion a year in income, with labour productivity 2.5 times the national average. The industry supports nearly a fifth of UK GDP through critical services such as navigation, climate monitoring and national security.
