posted 12-01-2017 11:03 AM               

Space Rider

Space Rider aims to provide Europe with an affordable, independent, reusable end-to-end integrated space transportation system for routine access and return from low orbit. It will be used to transport payloads for an array of applications, orbit altitudes and inclinations.

Launched atop Vega-C, Space Rider follows ESA's Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) which on 11 February 2015 performed a flawless suborbital flight with atmospheric reentry and sea landing.

Europe has solid know-how in getting to space and operating in space – but not returning from space. IXV was designed to help fill that gap in knowledge by demonstrating critical technologies in hypersonic flight conditions, fully representative of an atmospheric reentry from low orbit.

Several additional technology development and flight demonstrations have since taken place in Europe, adding valuable information.

Space Rider will have the potential to allow:

• experiments in microgravity;

• in-orbit validation of technologies required for several application missions;

• educational missions;

• enhancement of European industry competitiveness in paving the way to a commercial service.

The operational missions for Space Rider include a wide spectrum of orbital altitudes and inclinations in low orbit, compatible with the performance of the Vega-C launch system and its future evolutions.

The spacecraft will be launched from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, stay in orbit as required by its payloads, and then perform a ground landing. Afterwards, it will be refurbished and equipped with new payloads for the next flight.

The operational mission is based on the following elements:

• A small reusable orbital system designed to minimize refurbishment and turn-around life-cycle cost. It builds on the system and technological know-how acquired through IXV and the European launchers technology and flight experience, implementing design innovations such as a multipurpose cargo bay, and maximizing the use of off-the-shelf components.

• A small launch system to minimize launch service cost. The reference launch system is the Vega-C. The AVUM+ fourth stage of Vega-C constitutes the service module of the reusable orbital system, providing maneuverability for the payloads as well as the reentry braking.

A ground segment to support the in-orbit operations as well as the reentry and landing, and the early processing of the payloads after landing.

posted 12-01-2017 11:07 AM               

ESA tasked Thales Alenia Space with building Space Rider's reentry module based on the IXV.

ELV, a 70-30 joint venture Avio has with the Italian Space Agency, will create a service module derived from Vega C's upgraded AVUM. That module includes solar panels to provide in-space power for Space Rider while in orbit, and to subsequently deorbit at the end of the mission.

Hinting at potential future applications of Space Rider, Thales Alenia Space Italy CEO Donato Amoroso said the vehicle paves "the way to larger and more challenging applications, including reusable stages, point-to-point flights, spaceplanes and even space tourism," in a Nov. 30 statement.

Space Rider's first flight is planned for 2020, following which ESA hopes to set the vehicle on a path to privatization by 2025.

posted 10-27-2021 10:46 AM               

Announcement of opportunity to fly payloads on ESA's Space Rider

ESA is offering the opportunity for payloads to ride on board the first return flight, and future flights, to low orbit of its reusable Space Rider. Applications should reach ESA by 30 November.

Space Rider's planned debut is in 2023. Launched on a Vega-C rocket, it will provide a laboratory in space for an array of applications, orbit altitudes and inclinations. ESA has released a dedicated Announcement of Opportunity with no restriction on nationality for commercial or institutional customers.

Scientific experimentation in microgravity for pharmaceutics and biology are key examples of a Space Rider service.

Other examples include in-orbit demonstration and validation of technologies for applications such as robotics for exploration, instrumentation for Earth observation, surveillance for Earth disaster monitoring, and satellites inspection.

This is also an opportunity for non-space sector companies to benefit from activities in the space arena.

Space Rider is about the size of two minivans. Its reentry module hosts a multi-purpose cargo bay which offers 1200 litre volume for up to 600 kg of customer payloads.

Payloads are integrated in the reentry module multi-purpose cargo bay with standardised but customisable interfaces. This reentry module, coupled with the AVUM orbital module supplies power along with thermal, control, data-handling and telemetry capability during missions expected to last up to two months or longer if needed.

Customers assisted by the Space Rider telemetry and command services will be able to upload and download commands and data at each orbital pass.

On completion of the missions, Space Rider will return to Earth with the payloads safely stowed in its cargo bay. After reentering Earth's atmosphere, Space Rider will land on European territory. The vehicle will be reusable following refurbishment after each flight.

ESA's Space Rider offers an affordable, independent, reusable end-to-end space transportation system for routine transport in and return from low Earth orbit. Different landing sites are being considered: Kourou in French Guiana, Santa Maria in the Azores archipelago (Portugal), additional sites in Italy under consolidation.

An interested organisation should register with ESA via the esa-star portal in order to demonstrate their interest. Information on how to register with ESA and how to use esa-star is available on the How to do section of the Business with ESA portal.

Further information on this Announcement of Opportunity is available at 'Interact 8' in ESA-star registration. Please register to gain access to further details.