Clearspace has completed the second phase of the UK Space Agency’s Active Debris Removal Mission. During this phase, ClearSpace tested and refined the technology for removing satellites from low-Earth orbit (LEO).

ClearSpace Shows Its Readiness For Space Debris Removal

Space debris is posing a threat to various exploration missions as it clutters LEO.

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The UK Space Agency’s Active Debris Removal Mission aims to tackle this problem. Recent reports reveal the progress of this mission as ClearSpace has been able to complete the second phase of testing for this mission.

The space firm successfully demonstrated its robotic system’s resilience to launch stresses, along with its advanced image-processing capabilities designed to identify and track space debris during the mission.

ClearSpace’s proximity operations were also put to the test using a hardware-based spacecraft emulator. According to an official statement, they have also “completed detailed programmatic estimates, providing the UK Space Agency with key insights to inform mission planning.”

Speaking on this, Ray Fielding, UK Space Agency head of sustainability, expressed satisfaction with the space firm’s performance. He says that the agency is “delighted that ClearSpace and partners have successfully delivered all requirements in this de-risking-focused phase of work.”

ClearSpace Prepares To Remove Space Debris By 2026

The entire purpose of the UK Space Agency’s Active Debris Removal Mission is to clean up debris from orbit. To achieve this, the agency is working with two companies: ClearSpace and Astroscale.

Both firms are competing for a contract to remove two defunct satellites from orbit in 2026. As part of the selection process, they are demonstrating the capabilities and reliability of their debris removal systems.

Rory Holmes, ClearSpace UK managing director, described the CLEAR mission as “more than just a debris removal project – it’s a stepping stone towards a fully operational UK-led in-orbit servicing capability.”

He adds that ClearSpace’s efforts on this mission prove “that the UK has what it takes to lead in space sustainability.” ClearSpace is working closely with Indra-Deimos, Plextek, and Spirit Aerosystems to ready its LEO debris removal system for the 2026 mission.