UK Space Agency asks the public to name its space debris removal mission

[Idle Mila]

The UK Space Agency wants the public to help name its mission to clean up space junk. The Register's Richard Speed reports on the competition, which comes just after the agency confirmed ClearSpace UK as the mission lead. The mission is backed by more than 60 million pounds of government funding

The plan is ambitious. The spacecraft will remove two UK registered satellites from low Earth orbit, starting in 2029, with both disposed of by 2032. It will capture each satellite, lower it so that it burns up in the atmosphere, and then climb back up for further work, because it can be refuelled

Launch is planned from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, which would make it a very British mission from start to finish. Quotes in the article come from ClearSpace UK managing director Rob Atchison and ClearSpace chief executive Luc Piguet

There are rules for entries. Names must be two words, with a 150 word explanation. Backronyms, swearing, offensive or political names and anything with intellectual property problems are banned. Given the British public's history with naming contests, that list of rules feels very wise

Space debris is a growing problem as more satellites are launched every year. Missions that remove old hardware could become an important industry. Getting the public involved is a nice way to raise awareness too

What would you name the mission? And should satellite operators be required to remove their own debris?

Get in the bin! UK Space Agency wants public to name its debris removal missionwww.theregister.com

[Laura_70]

Boaty McBoatface clearly taught them a lesson. Banning silly names is understandable. I still hope someone sneaks something funny through. British humour will find a way somehow

It always does. Maybe a pun will slip past the judges

[QuantumKnight]

Debris is a serious problem. Collisions create thousands of fragments that threaten everything else

Removing big objects early prevents that. Kessler syndrome is the nightmare scenario. Cascading collisions could make some orbits unusable. Prevention is far cheaper than cure