ESA Space Safety
ClearSpace
ClearSpace SA is a Swiss space debris removal startup founded as a spin-off from EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne) by experienced space debris researchers.
Ecublens, Switzerland Est. 2018 Commercial
Quick Facts
Country
Switzerland
Founded
2018
Type
commercial
Status
operational
About ClearSpace
ClearSpace SA is a Swiss space debris removal startup founded as a spin-off from EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne) by experienced space debris researchers. In 2019, ClearSpace won ESA's ADRIOS project tender and in November 2020 signed an 86 million euro contract for the ClearSpace-1 mission, the world's first mission to remove debris from orbit. Originally targeting the VESPA payload adapter from a 2013 Vega launch, the mission switched targets in April 2024 to ESA's 95 kg PROBA-1 satellite launched in 2001. ClearSpace-1 will launch on Vega C in 2029, initially entering a 500 km commissioning orbit before raising to target altitude for rendezvous and capture using a quartet of robotic arms. The mission is a cornerstone of ESA's Space Safety Programme and Zero Debris Approach, aiming to limit debris production by 2030.
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Frequently asked about ClearSpace
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was ClearSpace founded?
- ClearSpace was founded in 2018 in Switzerland.
- Where is ClearSpace headquartered?
- ClearSpace is headquartered in Ecublens, Switzerland.
- What does ClearSpace do?
- ClearSpace SA is a Swiss space debris removal startup founded as a spin-off from EPFL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne) by experienced space debris researchers. In 2019, ClearSpace won ESA's ADRIOS project tender and in November 2020 signed an 86 million euro contract for the ClearSpace-1 mission, the…
- Is ClearSpace a public or private company?
- ClearSpace is currently a private commercial (status: operational).
- What sector does ClearSpace operate in?
- ClearSpace operates in debris-removal, in-space-services, space-sustainability.
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about ClearSpace is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.
Last updated: May 29, 2026
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