12 January 2026 European Space Agency (THIS) and the Luxembourg-based company ClearSpace announced a new PRELUDE mission, which involves the use of two small spacecraft, intended for testing close-range operations, and in the long term, it can ensure the extension of the service life of satellites, their repair and removal in orbit. According to preliminary information, PRELUDE is scheduled to be launched in 2027 year.
The mission aims to test autonomous convergence and close-range operations in real-world flight conditions. It will test high-precision tracking, navigation and maneuvering using a combination of vision-based sensors and additional sensors, which will feed on-board algorithms and autonomous, fault-tolerant management software, navigation and control (GNC). This will demonstrate complete freedom of movement and safety, repetitive maneuvers around another spacecraft. The PRELUDE spacecraft will be able to see on its own, understand and precisely track another object in space without intervention from Earth.
ClearSpace will be responsible for mission design, systems engineering and GNC development, as well as for the ground segment and operations. Spacecraft platform, motor modules and sensors will be procured or co-developed with industrial partners. Expected, that PRELUDE will continue from 7 to 12 months depending on the number and complexity of maneuvers at close range.
Source: https://spacenews.com