PRELUDE

Apr 20, 2026 - 02:50
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PRELUDE

Infobox added

← Previous revision Revision as of 21:19, 19 April 2026
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{{Short description|European technology demonstration satellites}}
{{Short description|European technology demonstration satellites}}

{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = PRELUDE
| image =
| image_size =
| mission_type = [[Technology demonstration]]
| operator = [[European Space Agency|ESA]]
| COSPAR_ID =
| website =
| spacecraft_bus = 2x 16U [[CubeSat]]
| manufacturer = ClearSpace SA
| launch_date = 2027 (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 satellite|small satellites]] flying in formation, is being developed by [[Switzerland]]-based company ClearSpace for the [[European Space Agency|European Space Agency (ESA)]] and its [[Space Safety Programme|Space Safety Programme (S2P)]]. The two satellites will be launched together and once in space, they will perform a series of complex maneuvers representing both cooperative and uncooperative [[proximity operations]]. PRELUDE's launch is expected in 2027.{{Cite web |last=Sampson |first=Ben |date=2026-01-13 |title=ESA and ClearSpace Prelude mission to test close-up orbital maneuvers |url=https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/news/esa-and-clearspace-prelude-mission-to-test-close-up-orbital-maneuvers.html |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=Aerospace Testing International |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=ClearSpace |date=2026-01-22 |title=ESA and ClearSpace Start PRELUDE |url=https://www.aerospace-and-defence.com/esa-and-clearspace-start-prelude-a-e9a2617671ac38c0bf883bf9a202c403/ |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=aerospace-and-defence |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Enthusiast |first=Space |date=2026-01-21 |title=ClearSpace and ESA Will Launch PRELUDE Mission to Test In-Orbit Services |url=https://orbitaltoday.com/2026/01/21/clearspace-and-esa-will-launch-prelude-mission-to-test-in-orbit-services/ |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=Orbital Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=ESA and ClearSpace announce PRELUDE mission to test debris-removal techniques |url=https://spacenews.com/esa-and-clearspace-announce-prelude-in-orbit-servicing-and-debris-removal-mission/}}{{Cite web |last=Bauldry |first=Jess |date=2026-01-13 |title=This Space Robotics Firm Plans To Clean Up Space |url=https://www.siliconluxembourg.lu/this-space-robotics-firm-plans-to-clean-up-space/ |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=Silicon Luxembourg |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Prelude: making responsible space operational |url=https://en.paperjam.lu/article/prelude-making-responsible-space-operational |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=en.paperjam.lu |language=en}}
'''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 satellite|small satellites]] flying in formation, is being developed by [[Switzerland]]-based company ClearSpace for the [[European Space Agency|European Space Agency (ESA)]] and its [[Space Safety Programme|Space Safety Programme (S2P)]]. The two satellites will be launched together and once in space, they will perform a series of complex maneuvers representing both cooperative and uncooperative [[proximity operations]]. PRELUDE's launch is expected in 2027.{{Cite web |last=Sampson |first=Ben |date=2026-01-13 |title=ESA and ClearSpace Prelude mission to test close-up orbital maneuvers |url=https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/news/esa-and-clearspace-prelude-mission-to-test-close-up-orbital-maneuvers.html |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=Aerospace Testing International |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=ClearSpace |date=2026-01-22 |title=ESA and ClearSpace Start PRELUDE |url=https://www.aerospace-and-defence.com/esa-and-clearspace-start-prelude-a-e9a2617671ac38c0bf883bf9a202c403/ |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=aerospace-and-defence |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Enthusiast |first=Space |date=2026-01-21 |title=ClearSpace and ESA Will Launch PRELUDE Mission to Test In-Orbit Services |url=https://orbitaltoday.com/2026/01/21/clearspace-and-esa-will-launch-prelude-mission-to-test-in-orbit-services/ |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=Orbital Today |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=ESA and ClearSpace announce PRELUDE mission to test debris-removal techniques |url=https://spacenews.com/esa-and-clearspace-announce-prelude-in-orbit-servicing-and-debris-removal-mission/}}{{Cite web |last=Bauldry |first=Jess |date=2026-01-13 |title=This Space Robotics Firm Plans To Clean Up Space |url=https://www.siliconluxembourg.lu/this-space-robotics-firm-plans-to-clean-up-space/ |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=Silicon Luxembourg |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Prelude: making responsible space operational |url=https://en.paperjam.lu/article/prelude-making-responsible-space-operational |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=en.paperjam.lu |language=en}}
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