Space Rider
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. Contracts for construction of the vehicle and ground infrastructure were signed in December 2020. Its maiden flight is currently scheduled for the third quarter of 2025.
Artist's rendering of Space Rider spaceship | |
| Names | Space Reusable Integrated Demonstrator for Europe Return |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Reusable spaceplane |
| Operator | ESA |
| Website | m |
| Mission duration | 60 days (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Space RIDER |
| Spacecraft type | Lifting body spaceplane |
| Manufacturer | Avio and Thales Alenia Space |
| Launch mass | Approx. 4900 kg (Full stack AOM + RM, including fluids and propellants) |
| Landing mass | up to 2850kg |
| Payload mass | 600 kg (1,300 lb) |
| Dimensions | Length: 8.044 m (26.39 ft) (Full stack AOM + RM) |
| Power | 600 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | Q3 2025 (planned) |
| Rocket | Vega-C |
| Launch site | Guiana Space Centre |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| End of mission | |
| Landing site | Guiana Space Centre |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
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, launched on 11 February 2015. The cost of this phase, not including the launcher, is at least US$36.7 million. 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.