Want to go deeper? Visit ClearSpace (company).
For further informationClearSpace and ESA rehearse close-proximity rendezvous before debris capture.
Company solution · on the horizon
PRELUDE (with ESA). This is a potential solution ClearSpace is advancing. We expect to know more within the next nine months and will keep you updated here.
ESA and ClearSpace jointly announced PRELUDE in January 2026. Planned for launch in June 2027, it will validate close-proximity rendezvous technology before ClearSpace-1 attempts to capture ESA's retired PROBA-1 satellite.
Source: SpaceNews, ESA and ClearSpace announce PRELUDE (Jan 2026)
Company source: ClearSpace, PRELUDE (company page)
ESA has not published a contract value or funding for PRELUDE, so we count it as on the horizon rather than active.
A mission to validate close-proximity rendezvous technology, a step toward capturing debris.
Company source: ClearSpace, PRELUDE (company page)
Launch planned for June 2027 (company target).
Company source: ClearSpace, PRELUDE (company page)
Earth orbit, ahead of ClearSpace-1's low Earth orbit removal of PROBA-1.
Getting close to an object safely is the hardest part of removing it. PRELUDE rehearses that step first.
Want to go deeper? Visit ClearSpace (company).
For further information