ClearSpace-1 / active debris removal
ClearSpace-1 / active debris removal
The first deliberate cleanup of an unprepared, uncooperative orbiting object is not scheduled to fly until 2029 — a crisis happening now is being hedged with promises rather than capability.
Related: %%DEAD:Orbital%20commons%20%2F%20Kessler%20syndrome%%, %%DEAD:Scaled%3A%20debris-vs-tracked%20numbers%202024%%
ClearSpace-1, led by OHB SE with Swiss firm ClearSpace, will be the first mission to remove an actual, unprepared, uncooperative piece of space debris, rendezvousing with and deorbiting ESA's PROBA-1 satellite (launched 2001, ~95 kg) using four robotic arms; planned launch 2029. src
Binding debris rules remain partial: ESA's Zero Debris Approach target (2030) binds only ESA and partners, while the industry-wide Zero Debris Charter is non-binding, signed by 19 countries and over 150 entities. src