PRELUDE is a proximity
& manoeuvring mission.
It is designed to validate, in orbit, cost-effective manoeuvring capabilities essential for life extension. At the same time, PRELUDE lays the technological foundations for space robotics required for both non-cooperative and cooperative capture and docking capabilities that are critical for the future of in-orbit servicing and satellite life extension.
PRELUDE is a pioneering space mission that will demonstrate core new IOS technologies, setting the stage for a new era of safe and sustainable space operations such as Life Extension. The mission involves two compact satellites performing complex proximity manoeuvres and inspection tasks capabilities essential for satellite servicing. By proving these technologies in low Earth orbit, PRELUDE will de-risk Phoenix program and accelerate the Luxembourg’s leadership in space safety and security.
What makes PRELUDE exceptional are its first-of-their-kind innovations:
Motion synchronisation demonstration for non-cooperative objects, enabling inspection of tumbling satellites.
Full six degrees of freedom (6DOF) manoeuvring on a 16U platform, delivering agility previously only seen on much larger spacecraft
Integrated radar and vision-based navigation for close-range operations, ensuring precision and safety.
Passively safe approach and formation-keeping techniques, critical for future servicing and docking missions.
Mission
Timeline
The mission timeline is designed to ensure that both satellites are launched in June 2027, providing sufficient margin to validate all key technologies required for the Phoenix mission. The integration of the mission-specific equipment into the selected platform is a critical path activity and will drive the overall schedule.
They propel our mission
With trust and collaboration
The European Space Agency (ESA) has partnered with ClearSpace for the PRELUDE mission.
Visit ESA's Website