PRELUDE

Mission typeTechnology demonstration

OperatorEuropean Space Agency

Websiteclearspace.today/missions/prelude

Bus2× 16U CubeSat

PRELUDE

Mission type	Technology demonstration
Operator	European Space Agency
Website	clearspace.today/missions/prelude
Spacecraft properties
Bus	2× 16U CubeSat
Manufacturer	ClearSpace SA
Start of mission
Launch date	2027 (planned)
Space Safety Programme ← SWING Ramses →

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.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]}