Space Rider

Last updated

Space Rider [1]
Space Rider ESA.jpg
Artist's rendering of Space Rider spaceship
NamesSpace Reusable Integrated Demonstrator for Europe Return [2]
Mission type Reusable spaceplane
Operator ESA
Website m.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Transportation/Space_Rider
Mission duration60 days (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSpace RIDER
Spacecraft type Lifting body spaceplane
Manufacturer Avio and Thales Alenia Space [1]
Launch massApprox. 4900 kg (Full stack AOM + RM, including fluids and propellants) [1]
Landing massup to 2850kg [1]
Payload mass600 kg (1,300 lb) [1]
DimensionsLength: 8.044 m (26.39 ft) (Full stack AOM + RM) [1]
Power600 watts [3]
Start of mission
Launch dateQ3 2025 (planned) [4]
Rocket Vega-C
Launch site Guiana Space Centre
Contractor Arianespace
End of mission
Landing site Guiana Space Centre [1]
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth orbit
←  IXV
 

The Space Rider (Space Reusable Integrated Demonstrator for Europe Return) is a planned uncrewed orbital lifting body spaceplane aiming to provide the European Space Agency (ESA) with affordable and routine access to space. [5] [6] [7] Contracts for construction of the vehicle and ground infrastructure were signed in December 2020. [8] Its maiden flight is currently scheduled for the third quarter of 2025. [4]

Contents

Development of Space Rider is being led by the Italian Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe (PRIDE programme) in collaboration with ESA, and is the continuation of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) experience, [2] [9] launched on 11 February 2015. The cost of this phase, not including the launcher, is at least US$36.7 million. [10] At the ESA Ministerial Council held in Seville in November 2019, the development of the Space Rider was subscribed by the participating member states with an allocation of €195.73 million. [11]

History

The European Space Agency has a program called Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP), which made a call for submissions for a reusable spaceplane. [12] One of the submissions was by the Italian Space Agency, that presented their own Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe (PRIDE programme) which went ahead to develop the precursor called Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) and the resulting Space Rider. [2]

Funding was initially approved by the ESA in 2016, with the project to be led by the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA). [10] Thales Alenia Space and Lockheed Martin were tasked with completing the design by 2019. In November 2017, the ESA approved funding to Thales Alenia Space and Avio to build reentry and service modules, respectively. [13] In late November 2019, the project was fully approved by ESA and will be funded mostly by Italy, [14] [15] and in December 2020, ESA signed contracts with co-prime contractors Thales Alenia Space and Avio for delivery of the Space Rider flight model, which in turn manage a consortium of more than 20 European companies operating in the space sector. [2] The Italian Space Agency (ASI) subsequently contracted with Virgin Galactic for a suborbital research flight on SpaceShipTwo for research related to Space Rider. [16] The first flight of Space Rider is currently scheduled for the third quarter of 2025. [4]

In April 2018, ESA released an Announcement of Opportunity (AoO) to fly small payloads on Space Rider's maiden flight. [17] By June 2019, the project was advancing towards the Critical Design Review (CDR) at the end of 2019. [7] An industrial reorganisation followed the ESA Ministerial Council held in 2019. To deal with it a design bridging phase was put in place with the System CDR planned in mid-2022. [1]

On completion of the two-month long maiden mission, Space Rider will return to Earth with the payloads stowed in its cargo bay. [17] This qualification flight of Space Rider will take place in 2025 [4] followed by several missions to demonstrate a range of capabilities and orbits, before handing over the project to the private sector. [18]

By 2025, the ESA plans to privatise the Space Rider, with Arianespace the likely operator. [19]

On June 20 2023, the Space Rider programme proceeded into Phase D of its development, allowing qualification and production to commence. [20]

Design

The Space Rider design inherits technology developed for the earlier Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, also within the Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe (PRIDE). [2] [10] [13] The design team considered the trade-offs of using only a lifting body and also using optional wings or vertical fins. [9] It was then decided in 2017 that the design should optimise the internal volume of the Vega rocket fairing, so its aerodynamic shape will be a simple lifting body, as tested on its predecessor, the IXV. [9] 3-axis control is achieved by the use of rear flaps. [9]

Space Rider will have the potential to allow experiments in microgravity, such as exposure of materials to outer space and in-orbit validation of technologies, as well as deployment of small satellites. [17]

In 2019, some parafoil guided landing tests will[ needs update ] be performed by dropping a full-scale model from helicopters or balloons. [10]

Space Rider is designed to launch atop the Vega-C launch vehicle from Guiana Space Centre. [4] The spacecraft is being designed to conduct missions up to two months long in low Earth orbit with up to 600 kg [1] of cargo. [3] [21] The re-entry module itself is a testbed for entry technologies as the IXV precursor was, so future improvements are envisioned, [22] including point-to-point flights, even "space tourism". [10]

Activities for Phase-B2/C, covering the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) started on 25 January 2018, [23] and the Critical Design Review (CDR) begin in late 2019. [7] An industrial reorganisation followed the ESA Ministerial Council held in 2019. To deal with it a design bridging phase was put in place with the System CDR planned in mid-2022. [1]

Service module

Space Rider's service module is a modified version of the Vega-C AVUM+, which will extend the time that can be spent in orbit by at least two months before Space Rider returns with its cargo to Earth to land on the ground. [24] The service module will provide power, attitude control and deorbit capability, and it will separate from the spacecraft just before atmospheric reentry. [7]

Landing

Space Rider will use a controllable parafoil for landing, as used by the NASA X-38 in 1999. X-38 Landing (cropped).jpg
Space Rider will use a controllable parafoil for landing, as used by the NASA X-38 in 1999.

Upon atmospheric entry, the lifting body shape will decelerate the spacecraft to subsonic speed (below Mach 0.8), when one or two drogue parachute will be deployed at about 15–12 km altitude to slow it further (to Mach 0.18 - 0.22) [21] Then, a controllable gliding parachute called parafoil will be deployed to begin the controlled descent phase for a nearly horizontal touchdown (≈35 m/s) using no wheels. [21] The landing concept is similar to the NASA X-38 landing system. [21]

The baseline landing site is the Guiana Space Centre. [1] For orbits with inclination >37°, landings could be performed at the Portuguese Santa Maria Island in the Azores archipelago.

Preliminary specifications

Space RiderParameter/units
CrewNone (robotic only)
Length≥ 8.044 m (26.39 ft) [1]
RM Length≥ 4.6 m (15 ft) [1]
AOM Length≥ 3.5 m (11 ft) [1]
Payload volume≥ 1.2 m3 (1200 liters)
MassMax. 4,900 kg (10,800 lb) [1]
Payload mass620 kg (1,370 lb) [1]
Flight timeAt least 60 days [24]
Landing mass2,850 kg (6,280 lb) [1]
Landing accuracy150 m [21]
Landing speedsHorizontal: 35 m/s; vertical: 3 m/s [21]
Parachute deployment shock< 4 g [21]
Power600 watts [3]
Reusability6 flights [3]
Turnaround time<6 months [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lifting body</span> Aircraft configuration in which the fuselage produces significant lift

A lifting body is a fixed-wing aircraft or spacecraft configuration in which the body itself produces lift. In contrast to a flying wing, which is a wing with minimal or no conventional fuselage, a lifting body can be thought of as a fuselage with little or no conventional wing. Whereas a flying wing seeks to maximize cruise efficiency at subsonic speeds by eliminating non-lifting surfaces, lifting bodies generally minimize the drag and structure of a wing for subsonic, supersonic and hypersonic flight, or spacecraft re-entry. All of these flight regimes pose challenges for proper flight safety.

Human spaceflight programs have been conducted, started, or planned by multiple countries and companies. Until the 21st century, human spaceflight programs were sponsored exclusively by governments, through either the military or civilian space agencies. With the launch of the privately funded SpaceShipOne in 2004, a new category of human spaceflight programs – commercial human spaceflight – arrived. By the end of 2022, three countries and one private company (SpaceX) had successfully launched humans to Earth orbit, and two private companies had launched humans on a suborbital trajectory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Automated Transfer Vehicle</span> Uncrewed cargo spacecraft developed by the European Space Agency

The Automated Transfer Vehicle, originally Ariane Transfer Vehicle or ATV, was an expendable cargo spacecraft developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), used for space cargo transport in 2008–2015. The ATV design was launched to orbit five times, exclusively by the Ariane 5 heavy-lift launch vehicle. It effectively was a larger European counterpart to the Russian Progress cargo spacecraft for carrying upmass to a single destination—the International Space Station (ISS)—but with three times the capacity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hermes (spacecraft)</span> French crewed spaceplane concept (1975–1992)

Hermes was a proposed spaceplane designed by the French Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) in 1975, and later by the European Space Agency (ESA). It was superficially similar to the American Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar and the larger Space Shuttle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vega (rocket)</span> European Space Agency launch system

Vega is an expendable launch system in use by Arianespace jointly developed by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the European Space Agency (ESA). Development began in 1998 and the first launch took place from the Guiana Space Centre on 13 February 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spaceplane</span> Spacecraft capable of aerodynamic flight in atmosphere

A spaceplane is a vehicle that can fly and glide like an aircraft in Earth's atmosphere and maneuver like a spacecraft in outer space. To do so, spaceplanes must incorporate features of both aircraft and spacecraft. Orbital spaceplanes tend to be more similar to conventional spacecraft, while sub-orbital spaceplanes tend to be more similar to fixed-wing aircraft. All spaceplanes to date have been rocket-powered for takeoff and climb, but have then landed as unpowered gliders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing X-37</span> Reusable robotic spaceplane

The Boeing X-37, also known as the Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV), is a reusable robotic spacecraft. It is boosted into space by a launch vehicle, then re-enters Earth's atmosphere and lands as a spaceplane. The X-37 is operated by the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, in collaboration with United States Space Force, for orbital spaceflight missions intended to demonstrate reusable space technologies. It is a 120-percent-scaled derivative of the earlier Boeing X-40. The X-37 began as a NASA project in 1999, before being transferred to the United States Department of Defense in 2004. Until 2019, the program was managed by Air Force Space Command.

Hopper was a proposed European Space Agency (ESA) orbital spaceplane and reusable launch vehicle. The Hopper was a FESTIP system study design.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator</span>

The Advanced Reentry Demonstrator (ARD) was a European Space Agency (ESA) suborbital reentry vehicle. It was developed and operated for experimental purposes, specifically to validate the multiple reentry technologies integrated upon it and the vehicle's overall design, as well as to gain greater insight into the various phenomenon encountered during reentry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avio</span> Italian Aerospace Company

Avio S.p.A. is an Italian company operating in the aerospace sector with its head office in Colleferro near Rome, Italy. Founded in 1908, it is present in Italy and abroad with different commercial offices and 10 production sites. Avio operates in:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle</span> Re-entry vehicle prototype by ESA for the development of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle

The Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) is a European Space Agency (ESA) experimental suborbital re-entry vehicle. It was developed to serve as a prototype lifting body orbital return vehicle to validate the ESA's work in the field of reusable orbital return vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thales Alenia Space</span> Satellite manufacturer

Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between the French technology corporation Thales Group (67%) and Italian defense conglomerate Leonardo (33%). The company is headquartered in Cannes, France.

The Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) is a technology development and maturation programme of the European Space Agency (ESA). It develops technologies for the application in future European launch vehicles (launchers) and in upgrades to existing launch vehicles. By this it helps to reduce time, risk and cost of launcher development programmes.
Started in 2004, the programmes initial objective was to develop technologies for the Next Generation Launcher (NGL) to follow Ariane 5. With the inception of the Ariane 6 project, the focus of FLPP was shifted to a general development of new technologies for European launchers.
FLPP develops and matures technologies that are deemed promising for future application but currently do not have a sufficiently high technology readiness level (TRL) to allow a clear assessment of their performance and associated risk. Those technologies typically have an initial TRL of 3 or lower. The objective is to raise the TRL up to about 6, thus creating solutions which are proven under relevant conditions and can be integrated into development programmes with reduced cost and limited risk.

The Italian Aerospace Research Centre is a consortium established in July 1984 to promote the growth and success of the aerospace industry in Italy. The majority of CIRA share capital is held by government organizations: the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and the National Research Council of Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ArianeGroup</span> European aerospace company

ArianeGroup is an aerospace company based in France. A joint venture between Airbus and Safran, the company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux. It consists of three core groups: aerospace, defence and security. ArianeGroup is developing its next-generation two-stage Ariane 6 launch vehicle, intended to succeed the Ariane 5 rocket, which has had more than 110 launches. The new vehicle will be offered in two variants that will be capable of carrying between 10,350 and 21,650 kilograms. The first launch of Ariane 6 is expected to occur in 2024.

The Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe (PRIDE) is an Italian Space Agency programme that aims to develop a reusable robotic spaceplane named Space Rider in collaboration with the European Space Agency.

Atmospheric Reentry Experimental Spaceplane (ARES) is a robotic spaceplane concept. The project merged with the French Dassault Aviation VEHRA programme to produce a concept called Dassault Ares Spaceplane.

The Smart Upper Stage for Innovative Exploration (SUSIE) is a proposal for a reusable spacecraft designed by ArianeGroup. It is capable of manned operations, carrying up to five astronauts to low Earth orbit (LEO), or alternatively functioning as an automated freighter capable of delivering payloads of up to seven tons. It is envisioned to be launched on the Ariane 64 launch vehicle for European Space Agency (ESA) missions.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Parsonson, Andrew (14 February 2022). "ESA Space Rider update from programme manager Dante Galli". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Space RIDER PRIDE Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA) Accessed: 15 November 2018
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "SPACE RIDER" (PDF). ESA. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Richards, Bella (26 August 2023). "ESA's Space Rider likely to launch third quarter of 2025, program manager says". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  5. ↑ "Space Rider". esa.int. ESA. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  6. ↑ ESA's reusable Space RIDER capsule would carry equipment to orbit and back Michael Irving, New Atlas 6 June 2019
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Space Rider: Europe's reusable space transport system". ESA . 5 June 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  8. ↑ "ESA signs contracts for reusable Space Rider up to maiden flight". ESA. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Aeroshape Trade-Off and Aerodynamic Analysis of the Space RIDER Vehicle M. Marini, M. Di Clemente, G. Guidotti, G. Rufolo, O. Lambert, N. Joiner, D. Charbonnier, M.V. Pricop, M.G. Cojocaru, D. Pepelea, C. Stoica, and A. Denaro, 7th European Conference for Aeronautics and Space Sciences (EUCASS) 2017
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Coppinger, Rob (11 April 2017). "The reusable spaceplane launched inside a rocket". BBC. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  11. ↑ DLR (28 November 2019). "Launcher Programme Subscription" (PDF). DLR Countdown Newsletter Special Edition: 43.
  12. ↑ New milestone in IXV development ESA 15 September 2010
  13. 1 2 Henry, Caleb (30 November 2017). "ESA pours US$107 million into Vega E and a reusable spaceplane". SpaceNews. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  14. ↑ Italy satisfied with outcome of ESA ministerial Jeff Foust, SpaceNews 29 November 2019
  15. ↑ Europe gives space programs a big boost Daniel Clery, Science 28 November 2019
  16. ↑ Foust, Jeff (19 December 2017). "Virgin Galactic signs SpaceShipTwo research flight deal with Italian space agency". SpaceNews. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  17. 1 2 3 Messier, Doug (12 April 2018). "Announcement of Opportunity to Fly Payloads on ESA's Space RIDER". Parabolic Arc. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  18. ↑ ESA targets 2021 for Space RIDER demo flight Tereza Pultarova, SpaceNews 13 November 2018
  19. ↑ Coppinger, Rob (22 June 2017). "ESA aims to privatize Space RIDER unmanned spaceplane by 2025". SpaceNews. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  20. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (20 July 2023). "ESA's Space Rider Spacecraft Reaches Key Milestone". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Conceptual Design of the Descent Subsystem for the Safe Atmospheric Re-Entry Flight of Space RIDER doi : 10.13009/EUCASS2017-624 Alessandro Balossino, Luciano Battocchio, Matteo Giacci, Giuseppe Guidotti, Giuseppe Rufolo, Angelo Denaro, Nicola Paletta, Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali 2017
  22. ↑ Mission and GNC Challenges from IXV to Space RIDER Rodrigo Haya Ramos, Davide Bonetti, Research Gate Conference: Fourteenth International Planetary Probe Workshop, The Hague, The Netherlands June 2017
  23. ↑ Space RIDER Gunter's Space Page
  24. 1 2 Focus on Vega developments European Space Agency Published by PhysOrg on 26 November 2018
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.