Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • ClearSpace set to accelerate UK’s space debris removal mission

Space

ClearSpace set to accelerate UK’s space debris removal mission

After successfully completing the preliminary design phase of the CLEAR mission, ClearSpace has been awarded a new contract by the UK Space Agency to further develop the mission.


 
Above: Artistic impression of the CLEAR servicer.
© ClearSpace

This new phase is pivotal for elevating the technology readiness levels of the preliminary designs submitted for the mission as it approaches the System Critical Design Review (CDR). The UK Space Agency is focused on thoroughly refining the mission's design and capabilities to ensure that the UK's Active Debris Removal (ADR) solutions are robust, reliable and prepared for future deployment.

Advertisement
ODU RT

With £2.35 million in funding secured, ClearSpace is resolutely committed to achieving ambitious objectives by March 2025.

The CLEAR mission is aimed at removing from low Earth orbit two derelict objects, clearing orbital space for new activities and reducing collision risk for neighbours. The CLEAR servicer will rendezvous with the first defunct object, capture it and transport it to an orbit at a lower altitude, where upon release, it will safely burn up in the atmosphere. Then the servicer will manoeuvre towards the second piece of debris to repeat the same set of operations.

"We are very proud of this achievement, which demonstrates our technical excellence and our commitment to making space safer and more sustainable," said Rory Holmes, Managing Director of ClearSpace UK. "We are grateful to the UK Space Agency for their trust and support and to our partners and suppliers for their collaboration and dedication. We look forward to continuing our work on this groundbreaking mission, which will pave the way for a new era of space activities."

Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency said: “The global space industry continues to set new records for the number of satellites launched into orbit, with more than 2,780 launched in 2023 alone. While these satellites deliver valuable services back to people on Earth, we also need to make sure we protect the space environment and develop new ways to remove space debris. That’s why this next phase of work towards a national ADR mission is so important. We want to build on the successful completion of the preliminary mission designs and support ClearSpace and their partners as they continue to develop and derisk this innovative technology.”

Advertisement
Teledyne

Above: Artistic impression of the CLEAR servicer approaching client object.
© ClearSpace

The mission will demonstrate the feasibility of active debris removal, providing concrete solutions to the technical and operational challenges involved. By its novelty, the mission will also contribute to the development of standards and regulations for in-orbit services and will act as a stepping stone towards the creation of a new market for assisted disposal services.

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

4 July 2025

Serco has appointed Keith Williams to the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair designate.

UK launches tender for space debris removal

Space

UK launches tender for space debris removal

3 July 2025

The UK Space Agency has launched a major new procurement process to tackle the growing threat of space debris, initiating a £75.6 million tender for the nation’s first mission to actively remove defunct satellites from orbit.

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

Defence Security Space

Boeing appoints Stephen Parker as CEO of BDS

3 July 2025

Boeing has appointed Stephen (Steve) Parker as president and chief executive officer of its Defense, Space & Security (BDS) business, effective immediately.

UK students to launch international space mission

Space

UK students to launch international space mission

3 July 2025

A team of students from the University of Surrey, the University of Portsmouth and the University of Southampton are working to fit equipment they designed, made and tested to a suborbital launch vehicle which aims to launch 900km into space.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Airbus-built Sentinel-4 launched onboard MTG weather satellite

Space

Airbus-built Sentinel-4 launched onboard MTG weather satellite

2 July 2025

The European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners have confirmed the successful launch of the Airbus-built Sentinel-4, a cutting-edge air quality monitoring instrument hosted on the third generation Meteosat (MTG-S1) weather satellite.

Teledyne CIS120 sensors launch on GOSAT-GW

Space

Teledyne CIS120 sensors launch on GOSAT-GW

1 July 2025

Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, a provider of advanced imaging solutions, has confirmed that two CIS120 sensors designed and manufactured by Teledyne Space Imaging will play a major part in the third in a series of Japanese climate change and Earth observation satellite missions.

Advertisement
Leonardo RT