MILAN \u2014 The European Space Agency and Luxembourg\u2019s ClearSpace announced Jan. 12 a new collaboration on an in-orbit servicing and active debris removal mission called PRELUDE, one that will involve two small spacecraft designed to test close-proximity operations and could eventually enable satellite life extension, repair and removal in orbit.<\/p>\n
Officials are targeting a 2027 launch.<\/p>\n
PRELUDE aims to validate autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations in real flight conditions. The mission will test high-accuracy tracking, navigation and maneuvering using a combination of vision-based and complementary sensors feeding onboard algorithms and autonomous, fault-tolerant guidance, navigation and control (GNC) software. The goal is to demonstrate full freedom of movement and safe, repeatable maneuvers around another spacecraft.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe PRELUDE spacecraft will be able to see, understand and precisely track another object in space on its own, without ground intervention,\u201d ClearSpace CEO Luc Piguet told SpaceNews.<\/p>\n
ClearSpace will lead mission design, system engineering and GNC development as well as the ground segment and mission operations. The spacecraft platform, propulsion modules and sensors will be procured or co-developed with industrial partners.<\/p>\n
The mission is expected to operate for seven to 12 months, depending on the number and complexity of proximity maneuvers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal is to comprehensively test and validate GNC through structured proximity operations, repeated maneuvers and a gradual validation of autonomy and safety features,\u201d a spokesperson for ESA\u2019s Space Safety team said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis mission,\u201d Tiago Soares, head of ESA\u2019s Clean Space and Circular Economy Office, said in a press statement, \u201creinforces Europe\u2019s leadership in sustainable and safe space operations and paves the way for commercially viable in-orbit services.\u201d<\/p>\n
PRELUDE fits into ClearSpace\u2019s broader strategy to develop orbital servicing spacecraft capable of both life extension and debris mitigation in low Earth orbit. \u201cThis marks a tangible step toward making safe and sustainable operations part of everyday space activity,\u201d Piguet said.<\/p>\n
The timeline for ClearSpace\u2019s transition from demonstration missions to fully commercial services has not yet been determined.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see PRELUDE as part of a continuous transition, not a binary switch from \u2018testing\u2019 to \u2018commercial,\u2019\u201d Piguet said. \u201cIn-orbit servicing is an emerging market, and ClearSpace is already running institutional and commercial programs. Our commercial readiness is built on a broader portfolio of missions, system engineering maturity and ongoing customer engagement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Founded in Switzerland in 2018 and headquartered in Luxembourg, ClearSpace secured its first ESA contract in 2020 for ClearSpace-1, an active debris removal mission. Initially targeting a VESPA launch adapter \u2014 later deemed unsuitable for removal \u2014 the mission was updated in 2024 to focus on the deorbiting of Proba-1. ClearSpace-1 is currently scheduled for launch in 2029.<\/p>\n
According to the company, the data, operational experience and autonomy validation generated by PRELUDE will support subsequent missions by demonstrating technologies at the required safety margins. \u201cIn this way,\u201d Piguet added, \u201cPRELUDE significantly reduces risk and strengthens confidence across the broader ClearSpace mission portfolio.\u201d<\/p>\n
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