ClearSpace
Company Information
Headquarters
Lausanne, Switzerland
Year Founded
2018
Industries
Aerospace, Satellite Servicing, Space Robotics, Space Infrastructure, Orbital Debris Removal, Satellite Operations, Space Sustainability
What Is ClearSpace?
ClearSpace is a space technology company developing robotic spacecraft and servicing systems for maintaining, inspecting, and removing satellites from orbit. Its engineering focuses on active space debris removal, autonomous spacecraft navigation, robotic capture mechanisms, and satellite life extension. The company develops missions that allow servicing spacecraft to approach and interact with satellites, including objects not originally designed for servicing. Its projects include ClearSpace-1, UK Active Debris Removal, PRELUDE, and Phoenix. ClearSpace operates within the emerging in-orbit servicing industry, which focuses on maintaining and managing spacecraft after launch.
What Does ClearSpace Do?
ClearSpace designs and develops spacecraft capable of approaching, inspecting, capturing, and servicing satellites in orbit. Its systems combine robotic mechanisms, spacecraft propulsion, sensors, and autonomous navigation software to perform operations near other space objects.
For debris removal, the company develops robotic capture and controlled deorbiting systems that can secure retired satellites and guide them toward atmospheric reentry. These missions require spacecraft to navigate around objects that may not have dedicated docking or servicing interfaces.
ClearSpace also develops satellite inspection capabilities for evaluating spacecraft conditions and identifying potential damage or anomalies. Its Phoenix program focuses on satellite life-extension services, where a servicing vehicle docks with an operational satellite and provides additional propulsion and attitude-control support.
The company works with space agencies, satellite operators, and aerospace partners to develop and demonstrate these capabilities. Its missions remain at different stages of engineering, testing, and preparation for orbital operations.
ClearSpace Technology
ClearSpace develops technologies for rendezvous, proximity operations, robotic capture, spacecraft docking, and controlled satellite disposal. These systems allow a servicing spacecraft to navigate near another object in orbit, determine its position and motion, and carry out a planned interaction without causing an uncontrolled collision.
A central capability is autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations. ClearSpace uses spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control technologies to approach target satellites while maintaining safe separation distances. Relative navigation sensors and onboard control algorithms support the estimation of target position, orientation, and movement during close-range operations.
For active debris removal, ClearSpace develops robotic capture mechanisms designed to secure satellites that lack docking interfaces. The ClearSpace-1 mission uses a four-arm capture concept to grasp the retired PROBA-1 satellite. Robotic arms and gripping mechanisms must account for spacecraft geometry, relative movement, and forces generated when contact occurs.
The company also develops contact-dynamics simulations to study interactions between servicing spacecraft and target objects. These models help engineers evaluate how capture forces, spacecraft rotation, and changes in momentum may affect mission safety.
For satellite life extension, ClearSpace is developing precision docking and propulsion support through its Phoenix program. The proposed servicing vehicle would attach to an operational geostationary satellite and provide functions such as station-keeping and repositioning.
Its PRELUDE mission is designed to test close-proximity maneuvering and inspection using two compact satellites. These technologies provide a foundation for future spacecraft servicing, inspection, and debris removal missions.
Why ClearSpace Matters
ClearSpace addresses the growing challenge of managing satellites and debris in Earth orbit. As more spacecraft are launched, retired satellites and other orbital objects create collision risks for operational spacecraft and future missions.
The company’s active debris removal technology is being developed to remove selected objects that cannot be controlled from the ground. Its missions are intended to demonstrate how robotic spacecraft can capture and dispose of satellites that were not designed for retrieval.
ClearSpace also contributes to the development of satellite life-extension services, which could allow operators to continue using functioning spacecraft after their onboard propulsion resources become insufficient for normal operations.
Its work connects space robotics, autonomous navigation, and spacecraft servicing with the broader development of orbital infrastructure. These capabilities are relevant to reducing collision risks, extending spacecraft usefulness, and supporting more sustainable satellite operations.
ClearSpace Products & Platforms
ClearSpace-1
ClearSpace-1 is an active debris removal mission being developed with the European Space Agency. It is designed to approach, capture, and remove the retired PROBA-1 satellite from low Earth orbit. The spacecraft uses a four-arm robotic capture system to secure an object without a dedicated servicing interface. ESA currently lists a planned launch in 2029, with OHB SE leading the industrial team.
UK Active Debris Removal Mission (CLEAR)
The UK Active Debris Removal mission is a spacecraft development program intended to capture and remove two retired UK-registered satellites from low Earth orbit. ClearSpace was selected as prime contractor in October 2026. The mission will demonstrate non-cooperative satellite rendezvous, capture, and removal, with operations currently targeted for 2029.
PRELUDE
PRELUDE is an in-orbit technology demonstration mission developed with ESA. It involves two compact satellites performing controlled approaches, close-proximity maneuvers, and inspection operations. The mission is designed to validate relative navigation, autonomous maneuvering, and spacecraft inspection technologies that can support future servicing missions. Launch is currently planned for 2027.
Phoenix
Phoenix is a satellite life-extension program focused on spacecraft operating in geostationary orbit. The proposed servicing vehicle will rendezvous with and dock to an existing satellite, providing propulsion and attitude-control support for station-keeping and repositioning. The program is developing precision docking and GEO satellite life-extension capabilities, with a first demonstration targeted for 2030.
Robotic Capture and Servicing Systems
ClearSpace develops robotic arms, gripping mechanisms, relative navigation systems, and spacecraft control software for orbital servicing missions. These technologies support satellite capture, inspection, docking, and controlled disposal. They are being developed and validated through the company’s mission programs rather than offered as a separately confirmed commercial product line.
ClearSpace Applications
ClearSpace technology is intended for active debris removal, satellite inspection, spacecraft life extension, and orbital maintenance. Its robotic capture systems are designed to secure retired satellites that cannot maneuver independently, enabling controlled removal from congested orbital environments.
The company’s inspection technologies can support close-range assessments of spacecraft conditions, including suspected damage, unexpected movement, and other operational anomalies.
Its Phoenix program addresses geostationary satellite life extension by developing servicing vehicles that can provide propulsion and attitude-control functions to existing spacecraft.
These capabilities may also support future spacecraft maintenance, orbital logistics, and robotic assembly activities, although those broader applications depend on additional technology development and mission validation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What satellite will ClearSpace-1 remove from orbit?
ClearSpace-1 is being developed to remove ESA’s retired PROBA-1 satellite, which was launched in 2001 and has a mass of approximately 95 kilograms. The mission is designed to approach the satellite, capture it using four robotic arms, and lower its orbit for atmospheric reentry. ESA currently lists the mission’s planned launch in 2029.
Why did ClearSpace-1 change its original debris removal target?
ClearSpace-1 originally planned to remove a Vega rocket adapter known as VESPA. In 2023, debris fragments were detected near the target following a suspected collision. The mission was subsequently redesigned to remove the retired PROBA-1 satellite instead, allowing the project to continue with a different target object.
How can ClearSpace capture satellites without docking interfaces?
ClearSpace develops robotic capture systems that can physically secure spacecraft without relying on dedicated docking fixtures. Its technologies combine relative navigation sensors, autonomous guidance software, robotic arms, and contact-dynamics control. These systems are designed to approach a target, assess its movement, and establish a controlled mechanical connection.
What is the difference between ClearSpace-1 and Phoenix?
ClearSpace-1 is an active debris removal mission designed to capture and dispose of a retired satellite in low Earth orbit. Phoenix is a satellite life-extension program focused on operational spacecraft in geostationary orbit. Instead of removing a satellite, Phoenix is being developed to dock with it and provide additional propulsion and attitude-control support.
Has ClearSpace completed an orbital debris removal mission?
As of October 2026, ClearSpace has not completed the orbital capture and removal missions described in its current development portfolio. ClearSpace-1 and the UK Active Debris Removal mission are planned for future operations, while PRELUDE is intended to demonstrate proximity maneuvering and inspection technologies before broader servicing missions.
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