ClearSpace
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersRenens, Switzerland
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
ClearSpace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ClearSpace
- Legal name
- ClearSpace Holding SA
- Website
- https://clearspace.today
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ClearSpace industry classification
Industry- Product category
- In-Orbit Servicing
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Space Research and Technology (92711)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal) (IMABACAM)
Keywords
Where ClearSpace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Renens
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
ClearSpace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Mission Contracts: ClearSpace generates revenue through direct contracts with space agencies (ESA, UK Space Agency) for debris removal and in-orbit servicing missions. These are large, multi-year government contracts typically awarded through competitive tender processes.
- Satellite Servicing Services: Revenue from providing commercial satellite operators with life extension, inspection, refueling, and disposal services for geostationary and LEO satellites.
- Industrial Consortium Contracts: ClearSpace leads consortiums with partners (OHB SE, Critical Software, Indra-Deimos, Plextek) and earns fees as prime contractor for complex space missions.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
ClearSpace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ClearSpace develops and operates in-orbit servicing (IOS) spacecraft for active debris removal, satellite inspection, life extension, and safe disposal. The company's portfolio includes four flagship missions (ClearSpace-1 for ESA, CLEAR for UK Space Agency, PRELUDE, and Phoenix) and three core service modules. Revenue is generated through government mission contracts and industrial consortium contracts, leveraging proprietary capture systems, autonomous navigation, and robotic manipulation technologies.
Product overview
ClearSpace is an In-Orbit Servicing (IOS) company developing a multi-mission portfolio of space debris removal and satellite servicing solutions. The product portfolio consists of four flagship missions: ClearSpace-1 (Europe's first active debris removal mission targeting PROBA-1), the CLEAR mission (UK's national ADR mission), PRELUDE (ESA partnership for proximity operations validation), and Phoenix (GEO life extension service). These are supported by three core service modules—Inspection (high-fidelity in-orbit imaging), Life Extension (satellite mission extension), and Safe Disposal (debris removal and compliance). The company leverages proprietary technologies including autonomous capture algorithms, robotic arms with gripping mechanisms, and integrated radar/vision navigation for non-cooperative object handling.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ClearSpace-1 Mission World's first active debris removal mission commissioned by ESA, designed to capture and remove the PROBA-1 satellite from orbit using a four-armed capture mechanism. The mission safely de-orbits the client satellite for atmospheric burn-up. Targeted at the European Space Agency and partner space agencies seeking to demonstrate active debris removal capabilities and reduce collision risks in low Earth orbit.
- CLEAR Mission UK Space Agency-funded active debris removal mission to remove two UK-registered derelict satellites from low Earth orbit. First UK national ADR mission demonstrating end-to-end domestic capabilities including design, build, test, license, launch, and operate. Targeted at UK government and UK Space Agency to build national in-orbit servicing capabilities.
- PRELUDE Mission ESA partnership mission validating proximity and maneuvering capabilities essential for life extension. Two compact satellites perform complex proximity maneuvers and inspection tasks including motion synchronization for non-cooperative objects and full six-degrees-of-freedom maneuvering. Targeted at the European Space Agency as a technology demonstration precursor to operational life extension missions.
- Phoenix GEO Life Extension Mission GEO Life Extension mission designed to dock with aging geostationary satellites and restore their functionality by taking over propulsion and attitude control, effectively extending mission life by several years. Targeted at commercial geostationary satellite operators whose assets are nearing retirement.
- Inspection Service In-orbit inspection service using maneuverable spacecraft to provide skin-close imaging of satellites. Enables precise characterization, ownership attribution, anomaly detection, and operational protection using the agile EO-VIS-2 optical sensor. Targeted at commercial and government satellite operators needing detailed inspection data on orbital assets.
- Life Extension Service Precision in-orbit servicing that preserves satellite performance and unlocks additional years of operational value. Adapts to real-world conditions where cooperative missions can quickly become non-cooperative, extending satellite missions without replacement. Targeted at commercial geostationary and constellation satellite operators seeking to defer replacement costs.
- Safe Disposal Service End-to-end debris mitigation services offering controlled re-entry and targeted removal options. Protects assets and preserves orbital access while ensuring compliance with Clean Space policies, reducing collision threats and safeguarding orbital slots. Targeted at satellite operators needing compliant end-of-life disposal and at space agencies seeking to remove hazardous derelict objects.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 75% propellant savings through optimized capture and removal compared to alternative approaches
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ClearSpace
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ClearSpace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability6 records
Feature8 records
ClearSpace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, supporting and strategic.
- European Space Agency (ESA)flagshipESA commissioned ClearSpace for the world's first active debris removal mission (ClearSpace-1) targeting PROBA-1 satellite removal. ESA and ClearSpace also announced the PRELUDE mission (2027 launch) for proximity operations validation. ESA provides leadership and funding through its Space Safety Programme.
- UK Space AgencyflagshipUK Space Agency selected ClearSpace for the CLEAR mission to remove two derelict objects from LEO. Provided £2.35M funding for mission development through March 2025. The mission demonstrates UK's first Active Debris Removal (ADR) capability.
- Orbit Fab Inc.corePartnership established in January 2024 between Orbit Fab (US-based) and ClearSpace SA to advance satellite refueling and servicing technologies. Focuses on in-orbit refueling market growth.
- LeoLabssupportingPartnership with LeoLabs announced in 2023 to enhance space safety and debris management through combined capabilities for tracking and servicing.
- OHB SEcoreOHB SE, a European space and technology company headquartered in Bremen, Germany, leads the ClearSpace-1 consortium providing the satellite bus, system integration, and launch services while ClearSpace provides mission-critical capture capabilities.
- Luxembourg Space AgencycoreLuxembourg Space Agency supports ClearSpace through the LuxIMPULSE programme in the Luxembourg National Space Programme. Supports the Phoenix GEO Life Extension Mission consolidation phase.
- Shield SpacestrategicBritish startup Shield Space signed MoU with ClearSpace on June 23, 2026 to develop sovereign space defense capabilities for the UK and allies by combining autonomous satellite operations software with in-orbit servicing technology.
- CSEMsupportingSwiss technology innovation center CSEM partnered with ClearSpace to develop flash lidar-based real-time autonomous navigation system for in-orbit servicing under Innosuisse support.
- EPFL (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)supportingPartnership with EPFL for flash lidar development and AI-based navigation systems for in-orbit servicing applications.
- Klepsydra TechnologiessupportingAI software partner providing solutions for deploying deep learning models on dedicated hardware for space applications, optimizing computation and power resources.
- AstroscalestrategicClearSpace and Astroscale co-led the UK RPO Regulatory Sandbox Stage 1, jointly developing recommendations for RPO licensing frameworks. Both are leaders in on-orbit servicing.
- D-OrbitstrategicClearSpace, Astroscale, and D-Orbit formed consortium for RPO Regulatory Sandbox project, receiving £691,000 from UK DSIT to develop licensing frameworks for in-orbit servicing.
- Critical SoftwaresupportingCLEAR mission consortium partner developing flight software using On-Board Software Platform Karvel for integration of all mission components.
- Indra-DeimossupportingCLEAR mission consortium partner developing Rendezvous GNC algorithms, raising TRL and de-risking the project.
- PlexteksupportingCLEAR mission consortium partner de-risking RPO radar development, providing sensor suite advantage for in-orbit servicing and debris management.
- Spirit AeroSystemssupportingCLEAR mission consortium partner providing aerospace manufacturing and structural testing expertise for de-risking activities.
- OMEGAstrategicLuxury watch brand OMEGA (first watch worn on the Moon) partnered with ClearSpace as visionary partner. Features ClearSpace's mission in marketing and media coverage including CNBC feature.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ClearSpace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Infinite Orbits: France-based emerging player in GEO satellite life extension (OrbitGuard/OrbitRecovery). Targets the same commercial GEO operator customer base as ClearSpace's Phoenix mission but is at an earlier commercial stage and competes for limited European IOS program funding.
- Momentus: U.S. in-space transportation and infrastructure company developing Orbital Service Vehicles for satellite hosting, deorbiting, and life extension. An emerging player in the broader IOS market with adjacent capabilities to ClearSpace's inspection and safe disposal service modules.
- Atomos Space: U.S. commercial in-orbit transfer and servicing company developing orbital transfer vehicles for satellite constellation deployment and relocation. Adjacent to ClearSpace's in-orbit services portfolio and competing for the same commercial constellation customer segment.
- Starfish Space: U.S. startup developing satellite servicing vehicles (Otter) for inspection, life extension, and debris removal using a proprietary docking mechanism. An emerging player with partial overlap to ClearSpace's service modules and similar target customers in commercial satellite operators and government agencies.
Direct peers
- Orbit Fab: U.S.-based in-orbit refueling and satellite servicing company that signed a strategic partnership with ClearSpace in January 2024. Both companies target the same commercial satellite operator customer base for life extension and refueling services, with Orbit Fab focused on propellant depots and ClearSpace on capture/servicing.
- D-Orbit: Italian in-orbit transportation and servicing company offering satellite deployment, orbital transfer, and end-of-life services. D-Orbit is a consortium partner with ClearSpace and Astroscale on the UK RPO Regulatory Sandbox and competes for similar satellite operator and agency customers in the European in-orbit services market.
- Astroscale: Japan-headquartered direct competitor in active debris removal and in-orbit servicing, with flight-heritage ELSA-d and ELSA-M demonstrators. Like ClearSpace, Astroscale is co-leading the UK RPO Regulatory Sandbox and pursues commercial life extension, making it the closest comparable in product, customer (space agencies, satellite operators), and regulatory posture.
Broad incumbents
- Northrop Grumman (SpaceLogistics / Mission Extension Vehicle): U.S. defense prime that has already demonstrated commercial GEO satellite life extension via the Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV-1, MEV-2) and is developing MRV. Northrop is a broad incumbent offering overlapping life extension and servicing capabilities as part of a much larger space portfolio, validating the IOS market ClearSpace targets.
Others
- OHB SE: European space prime and ClearSpace-1 consortium lead providing satellite bus, system integration, and launch services. OHB is both a key partner and a structural risk — it could leverage its role in the ClearSpace-1 industrial team to compete downstream in in-orbit servicing as a broader incumbent.
- LeoLabs: U.S.-based space situational awareness and orbital tracking company that signed a 2023 partnership with ClearSpace to combine tracking and servicing capabilities. Not a direct competitor but an enabling/adjacent player whose data feeds into ClearSpace's debris removal mission planning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ClearSpace social profiles
Digital presenceClearSpace compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
ClearSpace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ClearSpace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
ClearSpace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors14 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ClearSpace M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ClearSpace
What does ClearSpace do?
ClearSpace develops and operates in-orbit servicing (IOS) spacecraft for active debris removal, satellite inspection, life extension, and safe disposal. The company's portfolio includes four flagship missions (ClearSpace-1 for ESA, CLEAR for UK Space Agency, PRELUDE, and Phoenix) and three core service modules. Revenue is generated through government mission contracts and industrial consortium contracts, leveraging proprietary capture systems, autonomous navigation, and robotic manipulation technologies.
Is ClearSpace a public or private company?
ClearSpace is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was ClearSpace founded?
ClearSpace was founded in 2018. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is ClearSpace based?
ClearSpace is headquartered in Renens, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does ClearSpace make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Mission Contracts are the primary driver. The others are satellite Servicing Services and industrial Consortium Contracts.
Who are ClearSpace's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Infinite Orbits, Momentus, Atomos Space and Starfish Space. Direct peers are Orbit Fab, D-Orbit and Astroscale. Northrop Grumman (SpaceLogistics / Mission Extension Vehicle) is listed as a broad incumbent. Others are OHB SE and LeoLabs.
Does ClearSpace have an API?
No public API is recorded for ClearSpace.
What industry is ClearSpace in?
ClearSpace's product category is In-Orbit Servicing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAM, Space Logistics & In-Orbit Servicing (Refueling, Tug, Debris Removal). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.