Two UK-based companies are designing missions to clear hazardous space junk alongside the launch of a new programme to back cutting-edge space technology, the UK Space Agency has announced.

Kathy Bass, Deputy Director of UK Space Strategy for BEIS, has highlighted the UK’s recent space progress and reaffirmed plans for the UK to be the first in Europe to launch a satellite into orbit later this year.

A research satellite from RHEA Group, built by Open Cosmos, completes the line-up of satellites set to launch from Spaceport Cornwall this year.

A new European Space Agency science mission, proposed by the UK, to 3D-map a comet for the first time has reached a major milestone.

Bethany Turner, from Alresford, appeared live on Friday’s (20th May) episode of Blue Peter, joining the presenters in the studio as her ‘Earth Sitter’ emblem was named the winner.

As part of a three-year mission two satellites will operate close to Earth experimenting and test imaging and interoperability.

  Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson underlined the government’s commitment to the UK space sector as he visited the future site of a new £100m government-funded satellite facility.