Vaud, Switzerland-based ClearSpace, an in-orbit servicing (IOS) company, announced on Wednesday that it has been selected by the UK Space Agency after completing the preliminary design phase of the CLEAR mission.
The UK Space Agency also invested £2.35M (approximately €2.75M) in the Swiss company. Consequently, the company plans to achieve ambitious objectives by March 2025.
The announcement comes seven months after the Swiss company was selected to investigate the feasibility of an in-orbit satellite refuelling mission by the UK Space Agency.
According to the company, the upcoming phase is critical for advancing the technology readiness of the initial designs submitted for the mission as they approach the System Critical Design Review (CDR).
The UK Space Agency is dedicated to thoroughly improving the mission’s design and capabilities to ensure that the UK’s Active Debris Removal (ADR) solutions are strong, dependable, and ready for future deployment.
“We are very proud of this achievement, which demonstrates our technical excellence and our commitment to making space safer and more sustainable,” says Rory Holmes, Managing Director of ClearSpace UK.
“We are grateful to the UK Space Agency for their trust and support, and to our partners and suppliers for their collaboration and dedication. We look forward to continuing our work on this groundbreaking mission, which will pave the way for a new era of space activities,” says Holmes.
What is CLEAR mission?
The CLEAR mission aims to remove two derelict objects from low Earth orbit. This will clear orbital space for new activities and reduce collision risk for nearby objects.
The CLEAR servicer will capture the first defunct object, transport it to a lower orbit, and release it to safely burn up in the atmosphere. Then it will move on to the second piece of debris to do the same.
Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency states, “The global space industry continues to set new records for the number of satellites launched into orbit, with more than 2,780 launched in 2023 alone. While these satellites deliver valuable services back to people on Earth, we also need to make sure we protect the space environment and develop new ways to remove space debris. That’s why this next phase of work towards a national ADR mission is so important. We want to build on the successful completion of the preliminary mission designs, and support ClearSpace and their partners as they continue to develop and derisk this innovative technology.”
ClearSpace: What you need to know
Founded in 2018 by Luc Piguet and Muriel Richard-Noca, ClearSpace is developing technologies that support a wide range of In-Orbit Services (IOS) applications, from disposal and in-orbit transport to mission extension, assembly, manufacturing, repair, and recycling.
The Swiss company aims to enhance sustainable space operations and promote a circular economy.
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