ClearSpace, a Swiss space tech startup specializing in space debris management,  and its industrial partners have passed their first major program review with the European Space Agency (ESA) for its debris removal mission from Earth's orbit. The ESA and participating states confirmed full funding for the next phase of the ClearSpace-1 program during the ESA's Ministerial Council in November 2022.

ClearSpace was commissioned by ESA in 2020 to build, launch, and fly a deorbit mission that will capture a large piece of debris and pilot it safely into Earth's atmosphere. The company is now qualified to move to the next phase of the project and aims to launch the debris removal mission in 2026, which will make it one of the world's leading In-Orbit Servicing companies.

This announcement follows ClearSpace raising EUR 26.7 million (~USD 28.3 million) in a series A financing round in January 2023 to further accelerate the sustainable use of space.