Artistic render image of the refueler servicer (top right), using two robotic arms to stable and refuel UK ADR COSMIC servicer. Photo: Astroscale UK

Astroscale has won a new contract in the United Kingdom worth over $2 million. Astroscale UK, a subsidiary of Astroscale, has secured a 1.95 million pound ($2.55 million) contract from the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to continue development of its Cleaning Outer Space Mission through Innovative Capture (COSMIC) spacecraft. The deal was announced Sept. 11.

COSMIC is Astroscale’s solution for a UK national active debris removal (ADR) mission to remove two inactive British satellites from space. This next mission phase will focus on maturing and de-risking key technologies identified in the previous UK ADR phases, such as the robotic capture system and debris detumbling capabilities.

By leveraging flight heritage in rendezvous and proximity operations from Astroscale’s current missions, COSMIC aims to ensure delivery of an assured, safe and highly reliable UK ADR capability.

COSMIC will be developed, built and operated from Astroscale’s Zeus facility in the United Kingdom. Astroscale also believes its supply chain for in-orbit servicing will support the creation and sustainment of highly skilled jobs and enhance collaboration with space clusters across the country.

“The global space industry continues to set new records for the number of satellites launched into orbit, with more than 2,780 launched in 2023 alone. While these satellites deliver valuable services back to people on Earth, we also need to make sure we protect the space environment and develop new ways to remove space debris. That’s why this next phase of work towards a national ADR mission is so important. We want to build on the successful completion of the preliminary mission designs, and support Astroscale and their partners as they continue to develop and derisk this innovative technology,” Paul Bate, CEO of UKSA, said in a statement.