ClearSpace, a Swiss startup that specializes in space debris removal, is expanding to the United States.

The move will help the company address the world’s largest space economy.

ClearSpace’s expansion beyond Europe is driven by their desire to create “a safer, more sustainable, and more circular space ecosystem”.

ClearSpace’s Expansion to the United States

ClearSpace, the Swiss startup that won a prime contract from the European Space Agency worth almost $100 million to develop and conduct the world’s first orbital debris removal mission, is expanding to the United States. The company has announced its US subsidiary, ClearSpace Today, which will help it address the world’s largest space economy. With offices in the UK, Germany, and Luxembourg, ClearSpace is expanding beyond Europe for the first time.

“As a global leader in IOS, ClearSpace is in an excellent position to meet the needs of US customers in both public and private sectors,” said its Chief Strategy Officer and US General Manager, Tim Maclay. “Combining our experience in Europe with the broad supplier base and deep talent pool present in the United States creates a potent recipe for a safer, more sustainable, and more circular space ecosystem.”

ClearSpace’s Mission

ClearSpace’s mission is to remove space debris, which poses a significant threat to space missions and satellites. The company employs nearly 100 people and is working on an additional debris removal mission and a mission with Intelsat to extend the life of a satellite in geosynchronous orbit.

In September last year, the UK Space Agency backed ClearSpace and Astroscale to design missions to help clear hazardous space junk. Contracts worth £4 million were awarded following the completion of a feasibility study of the CLEAR mission to remove two UK-registered derelict objects from low Earth orbit.

Original article: https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/swiss-space-debris-startup-sees-clearspace-in-united-states-2023-04/