Plextek advances radar for UK’s CLEAR space debris removal mission
Plextek has played a key role in the successful completion of Phase 2 of the CLEAR in-orbit servicing and debris removal mission led by ClearSpace.
The mission, which aims to enhance the UK's capabilities in maintaining and cleaning up the space environment, has achieved significant technological milestones during the latest phase. Plextek contributed to advancing the design of a vital Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) sensor, specifically the millimetre-wave (mmWave) radar, which is central to the mission's objectives.
Sensor development
Plextek was tasked with maturing the mmWave radar design and optimising its antenna for robustness and reliability under the demanding conditions found in space. The engineering team utilised simulation to verify the electromagnetic properties of the antenna, thereby advancing its Technology Readiness Level (TRL) for use in the CLEAR mission. This included further development of the software and protocol interface between the radar and the servicing satellite's onboard computer.
Open standards were used where possible throughout the development process, further supporting the drive towards interoperability and reliability in operational environments.
Industry perspectives
Richard Jacklin, Space & Satellite Commercial Lead at Plextek, reflects on the company's involvement and the technical progress achieved during Phase 2:
"Completing this crucial phase of de-risking and refining the rendezvous and proximity operations radar antenna and interface brings us one step closer to providing ClearSpace with a significant advantage in their sensor suite for in-orbit servicing and debris management."
From the broader mission perspective, the project forms part of the United Kingdom's active debris removal (ADR) programme.
Ray Fielding, Head of Sustainability at UK Space Agency, said, "This is a significant milestone in our national ADR programme, and we are delighted that ClearSpace and partners have successfully delivered all requirements in this derisking-focused phase of work. We are now entering a particularly exciting period of further innovation which further supports our prioritisation of space sustainability and development of a national ISAM capability."
The mission's significance was also underlined by Rory Holmes, UK Managing Director at ClearSpace. He stated, "The CLEAR mission represents more than just debris removal - it marks a critical step toward establishing a fully operational, UK-led in-orbit servicing capability. Achieving this milestone is a direct result of the commitment, expertise, and collaboration between our team and our trusted partners. ClearSpace has worked closely with leading organisations across the industry, and these partnerships have been instrumental to the mission's success - driving innovation, supporting UK job creation, and contributing to long-term economic growth."
Focus on sustainability
The CLEAR mission aims to address growing concerns around space debris by enabling safe and reliable in-orbit servicing operations. As the number of objects in low Earth orbit continues to increase, solutions such as those developed by Plextek and ClearSpace are being placed at the centre of the UK's strategy for sustainable space exploration and economic growth within the sector.
Plextek remains engaged with the mission, focusing on applying its radar expertise to support solutions that promote both sustainability and economic benefit within the national and international space industries. The company continues to collaborate with ClearSpace and other partners as part of ongoing efforts to develop and deploy advanced sensor technologies for in-orbit servicing, debris removal, and other space operations.
