Astroscale Ltd has successfully completed the Mid-Term Review of the current development phase for the UK Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission with the UK Space Agency.
Through COSMIC, Astroscale’s flagship UK ADR solution, the company is developing the technology to safely remove from orbit two inactive UK-registered satellites – marking a critical step toward securing a safe and sustainable future in space.
This milestone accelerates the UK’s ability to lead in orbital debris removal, a vital stepping stone toward In-Orbit Servicing, Assembly & Manufacturing (ISAM) - the fastest growing segment of the space industry - and brings together a nationwide supply chain to advance key technologies for precision debris capture via advanced space robotics.
“We are excited to be moving towards the final part of the development phase for the UK ADR mission,” said Nick Shave, Managing Director for Astroscale UK. “Through our previous missions, Astroscale is the first company to demonstrate safe and precise capture of an object in space as well as unprecedented close approach to a large debris object in-orbit. We are harnessing the experience and knowledge gained from those missions and working closely with our UK-focused supply chain to develop a mature and robust solution for Britain’s ground-breaking ADR mission.”
“Astroscale’s successful completion of the Mid-Term Review for its COSMIC debris removal concept signifies real progress towards a national ADR mission. Space sustainability continues to be a priority for the UK, and this signifies a critical juncture in our efforts to tackle the increasing risk of space debris,” added Ray Fielding, Head of Space Sustainability at the UK Space Agency.
Awarded in September 2024 by the UK Space Agency, the current phase aims to mature and de-risk key technologies for the mission. This midpoint milestone sees Astroscale UK making significant progress with partners on key areas, including debris de-tumbling capabilities and robotic capture systems. When debris objects are tumbling in space, COSMIC will rely on plume impingement, a novel method that utilises thrusters on the COSMIC servicer, to reduce the tumbling rate to ensure safe and secure capture.
To validate this cutting-edge approach, Astroscale UK is undertaking a test campaign at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Göttingen, using a specialist vacuum chamber to replicate real-space conditions and link simulation with real-world data.
Several Equipment Qualification Status Review (EQSR) activities have also taken place with partners such as Airbus Defence and Space UK, AVS UK, Nammo UK and Redwire, to assess and confirm that the equipment meets the necessary qualification criteria for a reliable debris removal mission. As part of this phase, Astroscale is also leading efforts in relation to the legal and regulatory aspects of the COSMIC mission, including contracting structures that seek to address, manage and mitigate risks from a legal and commercial perspective, whilst ensuring the mission is carried out safely. By working collaboratively with DLA Piper, a leading global law firm, the UK regulator for space activities (CAA), independent regulators such as Ofcom, and other HMG stakeholders, including the UK Space Agency, Astroscale has identified and assessed all aspects of the national and international legal and regulatory frameworks necessary to enable the COSMIC mission to be successfully licensed. This ultimately contributes to establishing the UK as a leader in law and regulations applicable to space activities, including ISAM.
As Astroscale UK moves into the final stage of this current de-risking phase, efforts will focus on refining the programme schedule and optimising mission costs – laying the groundwork for full-scale ADR operations. A Final Technical Review is set for March 2025 to conclude this phase, which will advance the UK’s roadmap towards long-term space sustainability and commercially viable ISAM.