Oxford's Astroscale joins other pioneers to show its commitment to sustainable space development
Oxford's Astroscale Ltd is teaming up with European space organisations, who are on a mission to make space cleaner and more sustainable for future generations.
The tech group has inked, alongside 23 other signatories, a so-called 'statement for a responsible space sector', which was described as a "significant" move towards the future of sustainable space.
Other distinguished organisations included Arianespace, NOSA, PT Space, Kayrros, Absolut Group, and POLSA.
Nick Shave, managing director of Astroscale UK, said: "By signing the Statement for a Responsible Space Sector, Astroscale demonstrates our commitment to the safe and sustainable development of space.
READ MORE: Astroscale opens Oxfordshire facility to build space debris removal craft
"We are proud to join forces with other like-minded European space organisations in championing a responsible and forward-thinking space sector. Together, we are pushing the boundaries of space innovation while prioritising the well-being of our planet for future generations.
"By uniting with other visionaries in the field, Astroscale sets a powerful precedent for the responsible management and stewardship of our space environment."
Founded a decade ago, Astroscale is developing solutions across the spectrum of on-orbit servicing, including life extension, in-space situational awareness, active debris removal, to create sustainable space systems and mitigate the growing and hazardous build-up of debris in space.
Space debris is described as defunct human-made objects in space, mainly in Earth's orbit, which no longer serve any useful function.
It includes derelict spacecraft and abandoned launch vehicle stages, fragmentation debris from the breakup of derelict rocket bodies and spacecraft.
In September last year, Astroscale opened its new Zeus satellite manufacturing and operations facilities on Oxfordshire’s Harwell science and innovation campus.
The new facility will enable the firm to manufacture satellite debris removal servicer satellites, while rapidly developing its commercial offering in future, contributing to the growing UK space industry. The sector has quadrupled in size since 2000.
The UK continues to be a leader in both the policy and technology development for space debris removal and sustainability.
In September last year, Dr Paul Bate, chief executive of the UK Space Agency, had said: "With nearly 5,000 operational satellites and over 30,000 pieces of trackable debris, the ability to operate safely in space is growing increasingly challenging.
"The UK is leading efforts to make space more sustainable and we’re backing companies, such as Astroscale, to design innovative new missions to clear hazardous space junk."
