Will at Least One Active Debris Removal Mission Launch by 2027?

Discuss on

UNLIKELYLIKELY

Claims

Last Updated 6 days ago

"2026 should see the deployment of more active debris removal (ADR) missions."Jan 12, 2026

SpaceNews

"[ClearSpace-1] is the first active debris removal mission, which will rendezvous, capture and remove a piece of space debris. The launch is scheduled from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, starting second half of 2026."Jan 08, 2026

Clearspace

The Asahi Shimbun"[Astroscale] added that it plans to start removing 'space junk' from orbit by the end of March 2028."Mar 21, 2025

The Asahi Shimbun

"Astroscale is working with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to demonstrate a commercial debris removal mission in 2027."Jan 08, 2026

Reuters

"EX-Fusion and EOS expect the [ground-based] initial detection system to be operational within the next two years. The full de-orbiting phase could take several more years."Apr 10, 2025

Engineerine

"The [ISSA-J1] mission is expected to continue through Phase III, with completion targeted for March 2028."Jan 08, 2026

Astroscale

The UK Government"[We could] see the UK’s first national space debris removal mission launch in 2026."Sep 26, 2022

GOV.UK

"ClearSpace plans to launch an 'active debris removal mission' to take out a piece of space junk no earlier than the first half of 2026."May 09, 2023

Space

"ClearSpace also leads a team scheduled to deorbit an ESA Earth observation satellite in 2029 to demonstrate ADR technologies."Nov 17, 2025

Apogee

"Technology is being developed to address space debris – but this generally appears as concept mission plans with only a few trial tests being launched anywhere globally."Dec 27, 2025

Space

"ESA is pursuing a bold Zero Debris approach aiming to limit future debris production and integrate debris management into mission design by 2030."Dec 29, 2025

Innovation News Network

"Japan’s ELSA-d mission and Switzerland’s ClearSpace-1, both set for demonstrations in 2025, represent the next generation of active debris removal systems."Dec 08, 2025

Climate Cosmos