ClearSpace develops autonomous technologies for capturing and removing space debris, addressing the increasing risk of collisions in Earth's orbit. Their ClearSpace-1 mission aims to safely eliminate derelict objects, ensuring a sustainable environment for future space exploration and satellite operations.
Funding
$33.6M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
The increasing amount of space debris, including defunct satellites and rocket parts, poses a significant threat to active satellites and future space missions due to the risk of collisions. This debris accumulates in Earth's orbit, creating a hazardous environment that could limit access to space.
Solution
ClearSpace is developing autonomous technologies for capturing and removing space debris to ensure a sustainable environment for future space exploration and satellite operations. Their ClearSpace-1 mission, contracted by the European Space Agency (ESA), will use a spacecraft equipped with four articulated arms to capture and de-orbit a Vega rocket component from low Earth orbit. This mission aims to demonstrate the feasibility of removing debris and pave the way for future missions that can remove multiple objects or provide in-orbit services such as refueling and repairs. By developing these capabilities, ClearSpace seeks to mitigate the risks associated with space debris and enable continued access to space for scientific, commercial, and governmental purposes.
Target Audience
ClearSpace's primary customers include space agencies, satellite operators, and other organizations that rely on access to space and are concerned about the risks posed by space debris.
Features
- Autonomous spacecraft equipped with four articulated robotic arms for capturing space debris
- Controlled de-orbiting of captured debris to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere
- Technology for capturing uncooperative objects that are freely tumbling in space
- Navigation and control systems that account for the effects of sunlight on camera visibility
- Artificial intelligence-driven recalibration of movements during capture operations
- Development of a reusable platform for future in-orbit servicing missions