ESA and ClearSpace SA sign contract for world's first debris removal mission

[OnlinePoker]

ESA is signing an €86 million contract with an industrial team led by the Swiss start-up ClearSpace SA to purchase a unique service: the first removal of an item of space debris from orbit. As a result, in 2025, ClearSpace SA will launch the first active debris removal mission, ClearSpace-1, which will rendezvous, capture and bring down for reentry a Vespa payload adapter. Journalists are invited to follow an online round table for media on Tuesday, 1 December, at 13:30 CET. Mission experts will give an overview of the project status, explain the ambitious mission design and detail the next steps leading to launch.

https://www.esa.int/Newsroom/Press_Releases/Call_for_Media_ESA_and_ClearSpace_SA_sign_contract_for_world_s_first_debris_removal_mission
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It's too bad this wouldn't be able to target multiple pieces of debris rather than only one. Baby steps, I guess.

[Chainfire]

1. I wonder if they are using the same system from the old James Bond movie? ;)

Where the evil vessel opens up like a clamshell and swallows the other spacecraft whole?

[OnlinePoker]

2. SpaceX Starship

Elon Musk is a Bond villain.