{
  "id": 15151498,
  "title": "Get in the bin! UK Space Agency wants public to name its debris removal mission",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/get-in-the-bin-uk-space-agency-wants-public-to-name-its-debris-15151498",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-17T07:29:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Register Science",
    "slug": "the-register-science",
    "url": "https://www.theregister.com/science/2026/10/17/get-in-the-bin-uk-space-agency-wants-public-to-name-its-debris-removal-mission/5303555"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UK Space Agency is seeking a name for its Active Debris Removal Mission, entrusting the task to the British public. The agency recently confirmed the project and has chosen ClearSpace UK to lead it. The mission aims to remove two satellites registered in the United Kingdom from Low Earth Orbit, with the cleanup set to commence in 2029 and conclude by 2032. The UK government is funding the effort with over £60 million, expecting the disposal to be completed by 2032. The spacecraft will capture each satellite, lower it to a lower orbit for disposal by burning up in Earth's atmosphere, then ascend to a higher orbit to prepare for its next task. This operation is likened to a cosmic bin round rather than suicide dive. The spacecraft will be refuelable, allowing the mission to assist in maintaining space for years to come. Launch is scheduled from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, but first, the mission needs a name. The Active Debris Removal Mission is not an easily memorable name, and the UK Space Agency provided examples of other project names, such as NASA's Mercury program and Tim Peake's Principia mission. The agency did not mention the poll to brand a scientific research ship, which was eventually named Sir David Attenborough instead of Boaty McBoatface. The name must consist of two words, and a 150-word explanation of the name and its connection to the mission's theme must be provided. No backronyms, copyright issues, offensive language, or political content are allowed. The public's participation in naming the mission has potential risks but is expected to generate engagement. The European Space Agency (ESA) previously announced ClearSpace-1 in 2019, which is the first mission to remove an object from orbit, with a launch set for 2025. ClearSpace founder and CEO Luc Piguet emphasized the importance of timely missions like these. The UK Space Agency's selection of ClearSpace UK marks a significant milestone in this endeavor. This situation is not the first time an object has been grappled in orbit; Katalyst Space's LINK spacecraft was sent to rescue NASA's Swift observatory, but LINK's failures prevented it from capturing the spacecraft. Perhaps involving the public in naming the spacecraft could have improved the outcome.",
  "summary": "ClearSpace UK aims to be operational in 2029 with public's suggestion etched on the side of the spacecraft",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Register",
        "title": "Get in the bin! UK Space Agency wants public to name its debris removal mission",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/get-in-the-bin-uk-space-agency-wants-public-to-name-its-debris",
        "published": "2026-10-17T07:29:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}