Oct 21, 2026
Agreement establishes a framework for cooperation on the Phoenix mission and future commercial life-extension services, bringing satellite operator expertise into the development of next-generation in-orbit servicing capabilities.
From left: Ruy Pinto (LSA), Muriel Hooghe (LSA), Sabrina Andiappane (ClearSpace), Vijey Thakur (Eutelsat), Luc Piguet (ClearSpace), Valéry Gineste (ClearSpace), Geoffroy Brichler (Eutelsat), Lorenzo Bichisao (ClearSpace) and Hyeonsook Hong Kaiser (ClearSpace). Photo credit: ClearSpace
LUXEMBOURG, 21 October 2026 ClearSpace has signed a term sheet with Eutelsat, one of the world's leading satellite operators, establishing a framework for cooperation on the Phoenix geostationary orbit (GEO) life-extension mission and the development of future commercial in-orbit servicing services.
The agreement marks an important commercial milestone for Phoenix, bringing ClearSpace and Eutelsat together to define the technical, operational and commercial foundations for GEO life-extension services. It outlines a pathway from the development of Phoenix's servicing capabilities towards future commercial service agreements.
The collaboration envisages Eutelsat contributing its operational expertise to the development of Phoenix, helping shape service requirements, mission design and demonstration planning. It also provides a basis for exploring the use of a Eutelsat satellite in the in-orbit demonstration, subject to further agreement.
The milestone was highlighted at NEO Space in Luxembourg on 20 October, where representatives from ClearSpace and Eutelsat joined the Newtech in Space session to discuss Phoenix and their shared vision for the future of GEO life-extension services.
For satellite operators, life-extension services could provide greater flexibility in managing GEO fleets, extending the productive life of existing spacecraft and maximizing the value of assets already in orbit. Phoenix is being developed to demonstrate the technologies needed to deliver these services commercially.
Sabrina Andiappane, Managing Director of ClearSpace Luxembourg, said: “Eutelsat brings invaluable customer insight into how we design and deliver that capability. This agreement is an important step in connecting our technology development with the operational needs of the market, and in building a commercial in-orbit servicing business from Luxembourg from Phoenix and the subsequent services.”
Frédéric Piro, Chief Engineering Officer at Eutelsat, said: “Our GEO fleet supports essential broadcast and connectivity services for customers around the world. Life-extension technologies could help us deliver these services for longer, while giving us more options in planning the evolution of our fleet and making the most of our investment in satellites already in orbit. We look forward to exploring this potential with ClearSpace through Phoenix and beyond.”
Phoenix is advancing under the European Space Agency's (ESA) Industrial Competitiveness programme line, within the agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, building on its initial development under Luxembourg's national space programme. The mission aims to demonstrate safe rendezvous, docking and control of a satellite in GEO, paving the way for commercial life-extension services.
ENDS
About Phoenix
Phoenix is ClearSpace’s geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite life-extension mission, with Eutelsat as its satellite operator customer. The mission aims to demonstrate technologies enabling a servicing spacecraft to rendezvous and dock with satellites in orbit, providing propulsion and attitude-control capabilities to extend their operational life.
The broader Phoenix programme is currently estimated at approximately €100 million. It is being developed with support from the European Space Agency (ESA) through its Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) programme, building on earlier support from the Government of Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Space Agency.
Phoenix is targeting its first demonstration mission in 2030, laying the foundations for commercial GEO life-extension services in the early 2030s.
Related press release: https://clearspace.today/news/clearspace-signs-esa-contract-to-advance-phoenix-geo-life-extension-mission
Phoenix image: Artificial rendering of Phoenix approaching a client satellite © ClearSpace.png
Phoenix video https://youtu.be/RIDyJ55yrmM?si=LB4jzHG8FLlE49Gi
About ClearSpace
Headqzartered in Luxembourg, ClearSpace is a leading In-Orbit Servicing (IOS) company with a vision to enable a circular space economy by bringing maintenance and services to orbit. The company is developing advanced, inherently dual-use technologies for satellite disposal, inspection, and life-extension, supporting both institutional and commercial missions while contributing to the safe, secure, and sustainable use of the space environment.
ClearSpace's Luxembourg operations lead the development of Phoenix, its geostationary satellite life-extension mission, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Luxembourg space ecosystem. With Eutelsat as its satellite operator customer, Phoenix represents a significant step towards establishing commercial in-orbit servicing capabilities from Luxembourg.
ClearSpace's growing mission portfolio also includes ClearSpace-1 and the UK Active Debris Removal mission (UK ADR), both focused on removing defunct objects from orbit, and PRELUDE, an in-orbit inspection and technology demonstration mission, and Phoenix. The company operates across Luxembourg, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Germany and France. https://clearspace.today
ClearSpace Media Contact
Hyeonsook Hong Kaiser (She/Her) | Director, Strategic Communication & External Affairs
media@clearspace.today | +352 28 51 89 28
About Eutelsat
Eutelsat is a global leader in satellite communications, delivering connectivity and broadcast services worldwide. Eutelsat was formed through the combination of the Company and OneWeb in 2023, becoming the first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator with a fleet of 31 Geostationary (GEO) satellites and a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of more than 600 satellites. Eutelsat addresses the needs of customers in four key verticals of Video, where it distributes around 6,300 television channels, and the high-growth connectivity markets of Mobile Connectivity, Fixed Connectivity, and Government Services. Eutelsat's unique suite of in-orbit assets and ground infrastructure enables it to deliver integrated solutions to meet the needs of global customers. The Company is headquartered in Paris and Eutelsat employs more than 1,600 people across more than 75 countries. Eutelsat is committed to delivering safe, resilient, and environmentally sustainable connectivity to help bridge the digital divide. The Company is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL) and the London Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL).
Contacts
Anita Baltagi | Group External Communications Director | anita.baltagi@eutelsat.com | +33 6 43 93 01 78
Katie Dowd | Senior Director Government & Corporate Affairs Communication | katie.dowd@eutelsat.com | +1 202 271 2209
