PRELUDE
European technology demonstration satellites
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
OperatorEuropean Space Agency
| Mission type | Technology demonstration |
|---|---|
| Operator | European Space Agency |
| Website | clearspace |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Bus | 2× 16U CubeSat |
| Manufacturer |  ClearSpace SA |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 2027 (planned) |
