ClearSpace is a European company operating in the field of In-Orbit Servicing (IOS), founded with the mission of enabling a circular space economy by bringing maintenance, inspection, operational life extension, and controlled disposal services for satellites into orbit.

ClearSpace’s mission portfolio spans three distinct operational areas. Close-up inspection allows the precise characterisation of the condition of a satellite or piece of orbital debris, providing data for rapid anomaly-management decisions. Life extension makes it possible to prolong the operational lifespan of still-functioning satellites in geostationary orbit, postponing their replacement and generating additional value for operators. Finally, safe disposal allows debris or end-of-life satellites to be removed in a controlled manner, with propellant savings of up to 75% achieved through optimised trajectories.

“Our technologies are moving from the development phase into implementation,” says Luc Piguet, CEO of ClearSpace. “This represents a concrete step toward integrating safe and sustainable operations into everyday space activities.”

The flagship mission is ClearSpace-1, commissioned by the European Space Agency (ESA) with a total budget of €100 million. Launch is scheduled for 2028: it will be the world’s first active space debris removal mission, targeting the PROBA-1 satellite.

At the same time, ClearSpace is developing Prelude, due to launch in 2027, which represents the first commercial operational service for in-orbit inspection and intervention, as well as the CLEAR mission for debris removal under the UK’s ADR programme, which completed its second phase in 2025.

The company receives support from the European Union’s InvestEU Fund and works with partners such as Orbit Fab for refuelling capabilities, positioning itself as a leader in addressing the growing problem of orbital debris, with thousands of objects tracked by international space surveillance networks.

Name:
ClearSpace

Website:
www.clearspace.today

Sector:
Satellite systems services

Pros:
Supporting institutional and commercial missions for the safe, secure, and sustainable use of the space environment

Features:
Development of advanced technologies for the disposal, inspection, and life extension of satellites

Cover: Envato image