ClearSpace signs ESA contract for GEO life-extension propulsion

(SpaceEnergy) ClearSpace has signed an ESA contract to advance its Phoenix geostationary satellite life-extension mission, which is designed to provide additional propulsion and attitude-control capability to spacecraft already in orbit.

The contract covers the next development phase of Phoenix under the European Space Agency's Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems Industrial Competitiveness programme. ClearSpace said the broader Phoenix programme is currently estimated at about €100m.

Phoenix is being developed to rendezvous and dock with operational satellites in geostationary orbit. Once attached, the servicing spacecraft is intended to provide propulsion and attitude control for station-keeping, repositioning and end-of-life operations, potentially extending the operational lives of client spacecraft.

The new phase will mature the mission architecture, docking system and associated rendezvous and proximity-operations technologies required for future commercial services.

Development previously received support from the Luxembourg government and Luxembourg Space Agency, which ClearSpace said enabled it and its industrial partners to establish the mission's technical foundations.

“Phoenix is the result of a shared ambition to make in-orbit servicing a practical and valuable capability for satellite operators,” ClearSpace chief executive and co-founder Luc Piguet said.

The company did not disclose the value of the newly signed ESA contract or a launch date for Phoenix.