OHB Sweden AB is since 2020 one of the key partners to ClearSpace SA for the space debris removal mission, ClearSpace-1. The industrial team has now successfully passed its first major program review with the European Space Agency (ESA) for its groundbreaking mission to remove a large debris object from Earth orbit. With this milestone, the team has demonstrated its ability to meet the technology requirements this mission demands.
ClearSpace together with its industrial partners are now fully qualified to pursue with ClearSpace-1, continuing on the satellite’s detailed design, procurement of spacecraft equipment, and manufacturing of the engineering model servicer satellite, all with an eye toward launch as soon as 2026. OHB Sweden will initiate its activities on the propulsion subsystem for this groundbreaking mission. OHB Sweden will perform the work in its premises in Kista, outside Stockholm.
The Clearspace-1 mission – the first rendezvous, capture and de-orbit of an uncooperative target – will demonstrate the technical ability and commercial capacity to safely remove such objects and significantly enhance the long-term sustainability of space flight.
In the past, abandoned and damaged satellites in orbit have been manually captured and repaired through astronaut-led missions using the space shuttle. ClearSpace is now building the technology to tend to space debris objects. The goal is to capture them, to either remove them from orbit, or to refuel them to extend their life.
Benoit Mathieu (MD OHB Sweden): “As also being a satellite operator, OHB Sweden is seeing the increasing need for active debris removal in order to keep space accessible and operational. The time to act is now and we are proud to be part of this transformation of keeping space sustainable”.
Luc Piguet, (ClearSpace CEO and cofounder): “ We are thrilled to partner with OHB Sweden on this trailblazing mission. OHB Sweden’s experience is invaluable to our mission and we are already seeing the fruits of a great collaboration.”
About OHB Sweden
OHB Sweden is a provider of complete space missions, satellites as well as spacecraft subsystems. With more than 30 years of proven success from a wide range of space missions in low and geostationary orbit as well as spacecraft for interplanetary missions, OHB Sweden has acquired a first-class reputation offering reliable and innovative solutions to its customers. The key expertise from OHB Sweden lies in small satellites, AOCS and propulsion subsystems.
For more information on this mission, please visit: ClearSpace news
Contact OHB Sweden:
Fredrik Sjöberg
Head of Business Development and Deputy Managing Director
Telephone: +46 8 121 40 100
Email: fredrik.sjoberg@ohb-sweden.se
OHB Sweden AB
Viderögatan 6
164 40 Kista
Sweden
