UK Launches Satellites to Track Space Debris in 2025

Two small satellites will soon help protect the growing network of spacecraft circling our planet from collisions and space weather threats.

British military researchers just cleared a crucial design milestone for the Orpheus mission, moving closer to a 2025 launch. The project pairs two identical cubesats that will fly in tight formation, working together to spot and identify objects floating in low Earth orbit.

Space is getting crowded. Thousands of satellites now provide GPS navigation, weather forecasts, and internet connections that billions rely on daily. But debris from old rocket stages and defunct satellites threatens these vital services.

The $7 million mission addresses this growing challenge with innovation. Hyperspectral imaging sensors aboard the cubesats will detect objects too small for ground-based telescopes to track. The spacecraft will also monitor solar storms and other space weather that disrupts satellite signals and radio communications.

UK space technology company Astroscale is leading the effort, drawing on expertise from previous missions where they successfully captured and inspected space debris. British satellite specialist Open Cosmos is building the spacecraft. International partners from the United States and Canada are contributing research support.

The Ripple Effect

This mission does more than track space junk. It's building Britain's capability to design and operate complex space systems, creating jobs and expertise that will benefit future projects. The close formation flying technique being tested could revolutionize how we monitor Earth and maintain satellites.

Other nations will benefit too. Space debris doesn't respect borders, and better tracking helps every country operating satellites. The weather monitoring component protects communication networks worldwide, from emergency services to commercial airlines.

The cubesats now move into final assembly and testing before launch. Once in orbit, they'll spend a year proving that small, affordable satellites can tackle big safety challenges.

Sometimes the best progress happens quietly, 300 miles above our heads, making daily life safer for everyone below.