Baroness Lloyd of Effra has launched a national active-debris-removal mission backed by more than £60 million of government funding.
ClearSpace UK will develop a refuellable spacecraft using robotic mechanisms to capture two defunct satellites and lower them into the atmosphere, where they will burn up.
The spacecraft is due to launch in 2029 from Saxavord Spaceport in Shetland. The removals are planned to be completed by 2032.
Ministers describe the project as the first national mission designed to dispose of more than one satellite in this way. It is intended to protect services including navigation, weather forecasting and communications.
The design will allow the spacecraft to be refuelled for possible further use, supporting a wider market in repairing, servicing and removing satellites.
The Government has also opened a public competition to name the spacecraft. The mission remains subject to successful design, testing, launch and orbital operations.
