ClearSpace

ClearSpace SA is a Swiss-based orbital services provider specialising in active debris removal and in-orbit maintenance. The company operates within the downstream space sector, focusing on the mitigation of orbital congestion to ensure the long-term sustainability of satellite operations. Its primary function involves the development of non-cooperative capture technologies to intercept and de-orbit defunct hardware from Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The organisation’s flagship mission is ClearSpace-1, a collaborative programme with the European Space Agency (ESA) designed to remove a specific Vespa payload adapter left in orbit. Beyond ESA, the company maintains partnerships with commercial satellite operators and national space agencies to develop multi-mission recovery vehicles. These systems are intended to provide end-of-life disposal services and life-extension capabilities for commercial and sovereign constellations. Prospective partners should verify the specific mission success criteria and current technological readiness levels (TRL) of their proprietary capture mechanisms. It is also necessary to confirm the regulatory status of their debris removal licences under international space law and the current development timeline for their inaugural launch vehicle integration. Due to the high-risk nature of proximity operations, technical due diligence regarding collision avoidance and docking protocols is essential.