Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 31, 2026

PRELUDE

PRELUDE is a future space mission for technology demonstration of operations needed for on-orbit satellite servicing and active space debris removal. The mission, consisting of two identical 16U CubeSat-type small satellites flying in formation, is being developed by Switzerland-based company ClearSpace for the European Space Agency (ESA) and its Space Safety Programme (S2P). The two satellites will be launched together and, once in space, they will perform a series of complex manoeuvres representing both cooperative and uncooperative proximity operations. PRELUDE's launch is expected in 2027.

Last revised
Jul 31, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
236 w
Citations
9
Source
Wikipedia ↗
PRELUDE
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
OperatorEuropean Space Agency
Websiteclearspace.today/missions/prelude
Spacecraft properties
Bus2× 16U CubeSat
ManufacturerSwitzerland ClearSpace SA
Start of mission
Launch date2027 (planned)

PRELUDE is a future space mission for technology demonstration of operations needed for on-orbit satellite servicing and active space debris removal. The mission, consisting of two identical 16U CubeSat-type small satellites flying in formation, is being developed by Switzerland-based company ClearSpace for the European Space Agency (ESA) and its Space Safety Programme (S2P). The two satellites will be launched together and, once in space, they will perform a series of complex manoeuvres representing both cooperative and uncooperative proximity operations. PRELUDE's launch is expected in 2027.123456789

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Sampson, Ben (2026-01-13). "ESA and ClearSpace Prelude mission to test close-up orbital maneuvers". Aerospace Testing International. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  2. ClearSpace (2026-01-22). "ESA and ClearSpace Start PRELUDE". aerospace-and-defence. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  3. Enthusiast, Space (2026-01-21). "ClearSpace and ESA Will Launch PRELUDE Mission to Test In-Orbit Services". Orbital Today. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  4. "ESA and ClearSpace announce PRELUDE mission to test debris-removal techniques".
  5. Bauldry, Jess (2026-01-13). "This Space Robotics Firm Plans To Clean Up Space". Silicon Luxembourg. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  6. "Prelude: making responsible space operational". en.paperjam.lu. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  7. "ESA and ClearSpace initiate PRELUDE - ADS Advance". www.adsadvance.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  8. Faleti, Joshua (2026-01-14). "ClearSpace and ESA Announce 'PRELUDE' In-Orbit Servicing (IOS) Core Technology Demonstration Mission". SpaceWatch.GLOBAL. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  9. "Prelude mission starts for ClearSpace, ESA| Electronics Weekly". Retrieved 2026-04-19.