Astroscale, the satellite servicing and long-term orbital sustainability company, has opened its new Zeus satellite manufacturing and operations facilities at the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.

The new UK facility will enable Astroscale to build satellite debris removal servicer satellites, and rapidly develop their commercial offering in the coming years.

The move from Astroscale’s previous premises to the new facility, Zeus, marks a 900 per cent increase in space, covering approximately 20,000 square feet to accommodate a high specification satellite manufacturing facility, a satellite operations centre, and offices for 120 staff.

Space cluster

Astroscale’s new custom built UK headquarters will be at the heart of the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus Space Cluster, close to partners such as the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency (ESA), Satellite Applications Catapult, the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, and many space industry partners.

“I am delighted to open our new state-of-the-art UK premises at the Harwell Science Campus,” said Nobu Okada, founder and CEO of Astroscale.

“This facility will support our ambitious growth plans for the UK business, allowing us to work with our partners to drive forward the development of the in-orbit servicing commercial market in the UK. If we act now, we will ensure a sustainable space economy for future generations.”

Safety in space

“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,” said Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency.

“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. It’s fantastic to see this state of the art facility open, bringing new capabilities to the UK and creating more than 100 jobs at the Harwell Space Cluster.”
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