The Space Rider (Space Reusable Integrated Demonstrator for Europe Return) is a planned uncrewedorbitallifting bodyspaceplane aiming to provide the European Space Agency (ESA) with affordable and routine access to space.[4][5][6] 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.[7] Its maiden flight is currently scheduled for 2027.[8]
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]
The qualification flight of Space Rider will take place in 2027. On completion of the two-month long maiden mission, Space Rider will return to Earth with the payloads stowed in its cargo bay.[7] The maiden flight will be followed by several missions to demonstrate a range of capabilities and orbits, before handing over the project to the private sector.[14]
Design
The Space Rider design inherits technology developed for the earlier Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, also within the PRIDE programme.[2][10][15] 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 Vegarocket fairing, so its aerodynamic shape will be a simple lifting body, as tested on its predecessor, the IXV.[9] A 3-axis control during reentry is achieved by the use of rear flaps.[9]
Space Rider is designed to launch atop the Vega-C+ launch vehicle from Guiana Space Centre, utilizing the new P160C first stage due to mass requirements.[8]The spacecraft is being designed to conduct missions up to two months long in low Earth orbit with up to 600kg[1] of cargo.[3][16] The re-entry module itself is a testbed for entry technologies as the IXV precursor was, so future improvements are envisioned,[17] including point-to-point flights, even space tourism.[10]
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.[18] The Vega C Avum+ upper stage is upgraded with the addition of the AVUM Life Extension Kit (ALEK), developed by Beyond Gravity, which includes the two deployable solar wings.[19] The service module will provide power, attitude control and deorbit capability, and it will separate from the spacecraft just before atmospheric reentry.[6]
Landing
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 15–12km altitude to slow it further (to Mach 0.18 - 0.22)[16] Then, a controllable gliding parachute called parafoil will be deployed to begin the controlled descent phase for a nearly horizontal touchdown (≈35m/s) using no wheels.[16] The landing concept is similar to the NASA X-38 landing system.[16]
In April 2018, ESA released an Announcement of Opportunity (AoO) to fly small payloads on Space Rider's maiden flight.[7] By June 2019, the project was advancing towards the Critical Design Review (CDR) at the end of 2019.[6]
The Critical Design Review (CDR) began in late 2019.[6] In late November 2019, the project was fully approved by ESA and will be funded mostly by Italy,[22][23]. 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]
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.[24]
On 20 June 2023, the Space Rider programme proceeded into Phase D[25] of its development, allowing qualification and production to commence.[26]
Qualification and production
Landing
In early August 2024, the first parafoil guided landing tests were performed in Sardinia by dropping a full-scale model from a helicopter.[27]
In November 2024, Portugal Space announced that the island of Santa Maria has been chosen as the landing site for the inaugural flight of Space Rider.[20]
In June 2025, the second set of drop tests, focusing on autonomous control and using a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, was completed at the Salto di Quirra range in Sardinia. This test campaign was originally planned for late 2024.[28]
In September 2025, Romania's National Institute for Aerospace Research (INCAS) has completed qualification testing of the Descent and Landing Test Model (DLRM)[29] and later delivered it to CIRA in Capua in October 2025.[30] This model will be used in the third and final drop test campaign, at that time expected to be conducted in the coming months at the Salto di Quirra testing range in Sardinia.[29]
Service module
In December 2024, Beyond Gravity has delivered the ALEK structure, a component of the service module, to Avio.[31]
In January 2025, the main structure of the first service module was delivered for testing in the Netherlands.[32]
In April 2025, the ALEK (AVUM Life Extension Kit) structure has finished its mechanical tests, qualifying for launch.[33]
Re-entry module
In February 2025, CIRA has announced the successful qualification of Space Rider's body flaps.[34]
In July 2025, CIRA has completed the qualification testing campaign of the nose cone, the largest single component of the re-entry module's thermal protection system with a diameter of 1.3m.[35]
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