ClearSpace is being tasked with removing space debris on behalf of the UK Space Agency, as detailed in a statement. In this context, ClearSpace has been brought on board as the prime contractor for what is the UKSA’s first mission of this kind. In specific terms, the space debris to be removed in this mission concerns two defunct satellites located in low earth orbit.
With the UK Active Debris Removal (UK ADR) mission, the UKSA is aiming to demonstrate how such objects can be approached, captured and safely removed, working towards its operational deadline of 2029. To achieve this, the UKSA is joining forces with ClearSpace, a spin-off from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) that is based in Renens in the Swiss canton of Vaud with its main headquarters in Luxembourg. Moreover, the company is active in the UK through the London-based subsidiary ClearSpace UK. “Space junk and debris pose an immense and growing challenge but with our homegrown expertise, the UK is determined to lead the global effort to clean up space”, as Liz Lloyd, UK Space Minister, comments in the statement. ClearSpace develops solutions such as robots to assist missions of this kind.
“Being selected by the UKSA as prime contractor for the UK Active Debris Removal mission is an important milestone for ClearSpace”, Luc Piguet, CEO of ClearSpace, explains, before adding: “Taking responsibility for delivering complex in-orbit operations for our customers is exactly where we want to be, and UK ADR brings that into operational delivery for a national customer”. ce/jh