Crossword Genius

Starts a static evacuation from space station (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

opens

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'starts' is the definition.
(opening is a kind of starting)

'a static evacuation from space station' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'space' could be 'en' and 'en' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ops' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for opens that I've seen before include "Establishes" , "Unfastens" , "Removes a lid, say" , "expands" , "Tournaments for both professionals and amateurs" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times (Crosaire) and the Irish Times.
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