ClearSpace-1

The ClearSpace-1 (ClearSpace One) mission is an ESA Space Debris Removal mission led by ClearSpace SA (a spin-off of the EPFL in Lausanne) and its industrial team. The mission's objective is to demonstrate the complete value chain of Active Debris Removal by removing a Vega payload adapter (Vespa Upper Part) from orbit. The mission will demonstrate technologies for rendezvous, capture, and deorbit for end of life satellites and builds the path to space junk remediation.[1][2] Destructive reentry will destroy both the captured satellites and itself.[3]

In 2019, the company won a tender for a European Space Agency Space Safety program contract in the Active Debris Removal/In-Orbit Servicing (ADRIOS) project. It will target the Vega Secondary Payload Adapter from the 2013 Vega flight VV02 for de-orbiting.[4] The mission contract, worth 86 million euros, was signed in November 2020.[5] As of January 2023, ClearSpace-1 is expected to be launched in 2026 on a Vega-C launch vehicle.[6]

The ClearSpace-1 mission was preceded by e.Deorbit, a space debris removal mission under planning by ESA in 2010s. In the end, the e.Deorbit mission was not implemented, the satellite was not built and the whole e.Deorbit mission was cancelled. ClearSpace-1 continues the ESA space debris removal aspirations.

References
  1. McGlaun, Shane (27 November 2020). "ESA signs contract with ClearSpace to clean up space debris". Retrieved 27 November 2020. ClearSpace SA will launch the first active debris removal mission known as ClearSpace-1
  2. Coxworth, Ben (7 July 2015). "EPFL's CleanSpace One satellite will "eat" space junk". Gizmag. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  3. Volpe, Joseph (16 February 2012). "EPFL's CleanSpace One: clearing up cosmic clutter (video)". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 7 November 2015.
  4. ESA commissions world’s first space debris removal
  5. "Call for Media: ESA and ClearSpace SA sign contract for world's first debris removal mission". www.esa.int. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  6. Rainbow, Jason (19 January 2023). "ClearSpace raises $29 million ahead of first debris removal mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
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