In 2025, the first active debris removal mission, ClearSpace-1, will rentry, occupy and rent the upper part of the Vespa (Vega Secondary Payload Adapter) from Europe’s Vega launcher. This is about 800 km. A gradual disposal of a grad altitude of 660 km was left in orbit, following the rules of reducing space debris, following the second Vega flight in 2013. Controlled atmospheric reentry. Credit: Clear Space SA
ESA has signed a 86 86 million contract with an industrial team led by Swiss start-up ClearSpace SA to purchase a unique service: to remove any space debris from orbit.
As a result, in 2025, ClearSpace will launch the first active debris removal mission, ClearSpace-1, which will rentry, occupy and re-rent the upper part of the Vesa (Vega Secondary Payload Adapter) used with Europe’s Vega Launcher. Following Vega’s second flight in 2013, following the rules of space debris reduction, the object was left in a ‘gradual disposal’ orbit (approximately 1 altitude 801 km 664 km).
Clear Space-1 has captured Vespa. Credit: Clear Space SA
Paying for such a service contract instead of buying and running the entire mission directly represents a new way of doing business for ASA – as the first step in establishing a new commercial sector in space.
With the purchase of this initial mission portion – ClearSpace itself will increase the outstanding amount of mission costs by commercial investors – ESA is also contributing key technologies to the flight, developed as part of the agency’s Clean Space Initiative through its active debris removal / in-. Orbit Servicing Project, Andrews.
These include advanced guidance, navigation and control systems and vision-based AI, allowing the Chaser Satellite to land securely on target on an autonomous basis, as well as to capture robotic weapons.
Target: The upper part of this Vespa adapter. Credit: ESA / CNES / Arianespace / Optique Video du CSG
Challenging achievements ahead
ESA Director General Jane Werner explains, “Think of all the orbital captures made up to this point and all of them with cooperative, fully controlled target object budgets.”
“With space debris, no such control is possible by definition: instead objects become satirical, often tumbling erratically.
“So this first capture and disposal of a cooperative space object represents a very challenging achievement. But, over the next decade, overall satellite numbers have become increasingly necessary to control the surface of debris, prevent debris cascades, and remove them regularly, threatening to exacerbate the debris problem. “
Luke Piguette, founder and CEO of ClearSpace, comments: “At the speed of orbit, even a single screw can be hit by an explosive force that cannot be protected by mission designers; Instead the threat needs to be managed by actively removing debris. “
“Our ‘two-truck’ design will be available to clear the key orbits of debris that could render them unusable for future missions, eliminate the growing risks and responsibilities for their owners and benefit the entire space industry. Our goal is to make orbit services affordable and sustainable. “
Luisa Innocente, head of ESA’s Clean Space Office Office, added: “The plan is that this pioneering capture forms the basis for a recurring business case not only for debris removal by responsible space actors around the world, but also for on-orbit servicing.” These similar technologies will also enable in-orbit refueling and servicing of satellites, extending their working life. Ultimately, we envision extending to the level of assembly, manufacturing and recycling within this trend. “
European industry leads to debris removal
ClearSpace – a spin-off company founded by an experienced team from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in EPFL, L લspace Zenen – is leading an industrial industrial team that includes companies from many European countries, and contributions will come from ventures in Switzerland, Germany, Switzerland, Czech Republic, , United Kingdom, Portugal and Romania.
Clear Space-1 is preparing to re-enter with Vespa. Credit: Clear Space SA
With a mass of 112 kilograms, the Vespa target of the ClearSpace-1 is close to the shape of a small satellite, while its relatively simple shape and sturdy construction make it the right first target – ultimately multi- – before proceeding to capture larger, more challenging missions. Including budget capture.
The Clear Space-1 mission will initially be launched at a low orbit of 500 km for commissioning and critical tests, before reaching the target orbit using a fleet of flying robotic weapons under ESA supervision. The combined ‘space robot’ Chaser Plus will be deorbited to burn into the atmosphere after the Vespa target.
