UK to help build the world’s first space junk cleanup satellite

The Clear Space One mission, led by a Swiss startup and supported by a British firm, aims to capture space debris from Earth's orbit by 2025. With over 160 million pieces of debris, space junk poses a significant threat to satellites and the International Space Station. The mission will target a spent ESA Vega rocket stage, using advanced technology to safely remove it from orbit. The satellite, equipped with robotic arms, will burn up upon re-entry, ensuring safe disintegration away from human life.

What is the primary goal of the Clear Space One mission?

• To capture space debris from Earth's orbit

• To explore new planets

• To establish a space station

• To launch a new satellite

How many pieces of space debris are estimated to be in Earth's orbit?

• 1,600,000,000

• 1,600,000

• 160,000,000

• 16,000

What speed can space debris reach, according to NASA?

• 1,800 mph

• 18,000 mph

• 180,000 mph

• 1,800,000 mph

Which company was selected by ESA to lead the Clear Space One mission?

• OECD

• Clear Space

• Lechner Damos

• NASA

What will the Clear Space One satellite use to collect debris?

• A large net

• Magnetic fields

• Four robotic arms

• Laser beams