Press Release N°42-2016 Paris, 14 November Media backgrounder: ESA’s Ministerial 2016 in Lucerne [...]Goal: foster a globally competitive European space sector Target amount: €1.5 billion Concerted measures that foster the European space sector into becoming wholly competitive in the global market are also about enabling and implementing new cooperation methods between traditional, new and emerging actors, about new working methods in line with Industry 4.0 and about pushing for a self-sustaining and commercially competitive European space industrial base open and easily accessible to other European sectors, which it helps to make profitable. This calls for broadening the base of industrial actors through the emergence of new players, including small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), calls for implementing public–private partnerships (PPPs) in areas in which these have to date seen only public financing, calls for clearer and stronger connections between the space and non-space sectors to allow for spin-ins and –offs, and for complementary activities. ESA intends to address all of the above by: •supporting the growth and networking of SMEs, through the SME Initiative, which helps to widen the base of actors and increase the dynamic nature of the space field; •extending PPPs to the Earth observation area through InCubed (Earth Watch) to stimulate Europe’s Earth observation industry to develop innovative technologies and services for commercialisation in the new Space 4.0 environment; •stimulating the first European commercial partnership(s) in space exploration, drawing on the group of innovative ideas already proposed by industry through commercial partnerships within the European Exploration Envelope Programme (E3P); •coordinating space technology planning of ESA, EU and Member States with industry and other stakeholders through the establishment of technology roadmaps through technology harmonisation; •providing support to the establishment and maintenance of standards for the space sector through standardisation; •preparing future initiatives and developing competitive technologies and products for telecommunication and thus directly supporting industry competitiveness through the Future Preparation and Core Competitiveness Elements; •providing extended geographical coverage and service enhancement of the European Data Relay Satellite System (EDRS), currently under development and opening new market opportunities for optical communication technologies, through the continuation of the EDRS-GlobeNet programme; •developing optical communication technologies to address future markets with ScyLight, which will also address quantum scamgraphy and other new applications; •supplying a validated satellite-based communication solution for the European Air Traffic Management System, through Iris; •supporting and enabling the development, qualification and demonstration in orbit of next-generation platform lines, allowing European prime satellite integrators already established in the 3–6 tonne launch mass segment to address future satellite operators’ needs through Neosat; •supporting the development, launch and validation in orbit of a satellite system based on an innovative geostationary platform in the 3 tonne launch mass range, using all-electric propulsion for transfer to geostationary orbit and for stationkeeping, through Electra; •supporting the design and development of the innovative elements that will contribute to an optimised delivery of future mobile satellite communication services, through ICE, Inmarsat Communications Evolution project; •supporting the development, launch and validation in orbit of an innovative Ka- and V-band satellite system, through Lynxsat; •supporting European satellite ground segment industry to develop, validate and roll out innovative ground segment solutions, through Aidan; •supporting the development of streamlined microsatellites towards reduced recurring cost for serial production by supporting space-based tracking of seafaring vessels beyond coastal areas that are equipped with AIS (Automatic Identification System) tracking devices through SAT-AIS missions and other applications and by addressing other opportunities offered by small LEO constellations high-performance ship detection capabilities; •facilitating the transfer of technologies and knowhow developed at ESA into diverse non-space fields (spin-off) and supporting the local Business Incubator Centres in Member States, through the Technology Transfer and Incubation Programme (TTP); •preparing Europe for independent routine access and return from LEO with a reusable system able to transport payloads for several different applications through Space Rider (based on Vega C), and activities involving Dream Chaser (based on Ariane 64); •providing low-cost launch services for light and small satellites based on Ariane 6 and Vega with the Light satellite, Low-cost Launch (LLL) initiative. [...]
CM16 the #IXV follow-on #SpaceRider has received 43 mil. euro funding upto CDR (funding more then 60% reached) launch in 2020/2021
DutchSpace @DutchSpace 8m8 minutes agoOhh, i'm liking this updated image..... #SpaceRider #IXV
LE BOURGET, FRANCE — Although Europe’s Space Rider reusable spaceplane is three years or so from its debut, the European Space Agency is already making plans to privatize the unmanned orbital vehicle.By 2025, ESA officials said, Space Rider could be operating commercially, flying science payloads and bringing them back to Earth for roughly $9,200 per kilogram.Arianespace, the Evry, France-based launch services provider, would likely serve as Space Rider’s operator, offering industry and government customers the opportunity to fill the spaceplane 800-kilogram payload capacity with microgravity science, materials testing, telecommunications and robotics demonstrations.<--- SNIP---> [more at Spacenews.com]
How could Space Rider operate commercially if they're charging less than $10k/kg of payload? Wouldn't it need to charge more than 5 times that much?
Quote from: gongora on 06/25/2017 03:10 pmHow could Space Rider operate commercially if they're charging less than $10k/kg of payload? Wouldn't it need to charge more than 5 times that much?Most basic 1U volume rideshare service. Cube up and down, passive payload. Add power and date for more advanced payloads and you can multiply the cost possibly an order of magnitude.I guess the cost per mission (800kg payload) is in the order of 50-100mln.
From EUCASS2017, found something that should be right up Rik ISS-fan's alley (and others too of course, it's an interesting read)
If I'm not mistaken, SpaceRider will launch on Vega-C or Ariane 62; IXV launched on Vega. All three launchers have different fairing diameters (Vega 2.6m, Vega-C 3.3m, A62 5.4m outer diameter)The baseline is a reuse of the IXV vehicle shape, so I wonder if they are going to use the Vega fairing on Vega-C when launching SpaceRider or if they are going to use the larger fairing. The advantaged of using the smaller fairing is that it weights less so the vehicle mass might be higher.When using the larger fairing a lot of volume won't be used.
ESA signed two contracts today with Italy’s ELV and Thales Alenia Space to extend Europe’s Vega space system capabilities and competitiveness, and develop Space Rider for payload return capability.
... Thales Alenia Space and ELV will complete the detailed mission and system design up to the Critical Design Review for Space Rider.The Space Rider space transportation system will be integrated with Vega-C, combining an Orbital Service Module derived from a Vega-C AVUM and a reentry module derived from the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) demonstrator flown in 2015 on Vega.It will provide Europe with an affordable reusable platform for routine access and return from space, with payloads capacity up to 800 kg to an array of orbit altitudes and inclinations for multiple applications such as advanced microgravity, in-orbit demonstration and validation for Earth observation, science, telecommunication and robotic exploration.
The contract for Space Rider activities worth €36.7 million was signed by ESA Director of Space Transportation Daniel Neuenschwander, Thales Alenia Space Vice President Domain Exploration and Science Walter Cugno, and ELV Managing Director Andrea Preve at ESA headquarters in Paris.
Today, Avio signed two contracts with ESA, the European Space Agency, in Paris to develop the Vega E launcher and the Space Rider re-entry vehicle, in line with market expectations. The contracts are worth a total of €89.7 million.
Space Rider is a re-entry vehicle, the evolution of the IXV (Intermediate Experimental Vehicle, launched by Vega in February 2015), capable of ‘navigating’ up to 2 months in low Earth orbit before returning to earth. Re-entry enables the recovery of all the useful load that can be analysed, and the vehicle to be reused for a new mission. The contract signed by ESA with Avio and TAS-I (Thales Alenia Space Italia) is worth a total of €36.7 million for the development of the Space Rider system, consisting of two modules: AOM (Avum Orbital Module) and RM (Re-entry Module). Avio will handle the development of AOM, a specific version of AVUM (fourth stage of the VEGA C) capable of supplying power and services for controlling the vehicle’s re-entry attitude during the orbital stage.
Space Rider way forwardPhase-B1 was completed with the system requirements review board meeting on 21 December 2017 concluding that the project is technically sound. Activities for Phase-B2/C, covering the preliminary design review and the critical design review, started on 25 January 2018. Increasing the volume of the multipurpose cargo bay is a priority to allow for more or larger payloads on each mission. Another focus is to refine the mission operations and the requirements for the ground segment together with the consolidation of the business plan on exploitation.
From the above link...The Space Rider payload bay User Guide
Space Rider missionESA’s Space Rider aims to provide Europe with an affordable, independent, reusable end-to-end space transportation system integrated with Vega-C, for routine access and return from low Earth orbit.Space Rider will debut in 2021 to provide a laboratory in space for an array of applications, orbit altitudes and inclinations.- Related article: Announcement of opportunity to fly payloads to space on ESA's Space Riderhttps://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2018/04/Space_Rider_missionImage credit: ESA
So is any part of this reusable? I get that it can bring experiments back to earth, but it looks like there will be, effectively, no real reuse going on here.
Quote from: Prettz on 04/20/2018 01:53 pmSo is any part of this reusable? I get that it can bring experiments back to earth, but it looks like there will be, effectively, no real reuse going on here.The "Re-entry Module" is intended to fly a minimum of 6 missions (i.e. be re-used at least 5 times), with a turn-around time of 4 months (TBC).From the fact sheet:https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/space_transportation/Space_Rider_factsheet_HiRes_ok.pdf
Space Rider - Developing ESA’s Autonomous Space Vehicle CapabilityMr A. Godfrey, Lockheed Martin UK – Ampthill, July 2017AbstractThe ever increasing demand to access Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has prompted a recentlyrenewed global interest in Launch Vehicle (LV) and Space Vehicle (SV) development. Theprimary aim of new designs has been to reduce the cost of accessing space, often bymaximising vehicle reusability. Despite recent test and demonstration successes, the maturityof the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) reusable LV and SV technology is still consideredto be below that of major space fairing nations; the United States, Russia and China. Toaddress this knowledge gap and maintain pace with the rest of the world, ESA have beendeveloping an autonomous and reusable SV capability known as Space Rider.Initially this paper discusses why an agency or nation may want to develop an autonomousSV and goes on to present an overview of SVs, both past and present. ESA’s SV developmentwith its Space Rider programme and preceding demonstrator, the Programme for ReusableIn-orbit Demonstrator for Europe - Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (PRIDE IXV), are thenintroduced. Following this, an overview is given as to how Lockheed Martin UK – Ampthill(LMUK Ampthill) have been contributing to the development of three critical Space Ridersubsystems; the Aerodynamic Surface Control System (ASCS), Landing Gear and Mid-AirRetrieval (MAR) system. Key design drivers and trade-offs are highlighted to illustrate someof the engineering challenges associated with developing an autonomous SV. Finally it isshown how SV operators can realise a large cost saving by using MAR instead of conventionalLanding Gear.
Aerospace, green light to the development of a new made in Italy ceramic materialInteresting prospects are opening up for the development of a new made in Italy material with applications in the aerospace sector.The new opportunities are opened by the success of the tests carried out on an innovative material for thermal protection developed by CIRA, the Italian Aerospace Research Centre, in collaboration with Petroceramics, a company specializing in the development of high-performance ceramic matrix composites. The material was tested in CIRA’s Scirocco plasma wind tunnel on an aerospace component exposed for 10 minutes to conditions simulating the re-entry conditions from low Earth orbit. The component reached temperatures of about 1200 degrees Celsius showing no sign of degradation, thus proving that it can be employed as a reusable thermal protection.The material resulting from the collaboration between CIRA and Petroceramics proved to be able to withstand extremely high thermal and mechanical stresses in an oxidizing environment. It is a completely new reinforced ceramic composite with the advantage that it can be produced in a rapid, cost-effective manner.The field of application is that of space re-entry technologies. In particular, the positive result of the tests on the new material opens the way for the development of made in Italy thermal protection systems, also useful in view of future programmes of the European Space Agency, such as Space Rider...
ESA’s Space Rider reentry vehicle will be launched on Vega-C. It will provide an in-orbit platform for payloads of up to 800 kg.Its Orbital Service Module, a modified version of the Vega-C AVUM+, extends 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 ground.The maiden flight is planned for 2021.
Space Rider will be launched from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in 2022.
Oh, yes. Space Rider, the reusable mini robotic shuttle which would launch on the Vega rocket to take experimental payloads into orbit (A bit like US X37B). Oversubscribed. But... the vast majority of the cash coming from Italy. #Space19plus
THALES ALENIA SPACE AND AVIO SIGN WITH EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY THE SPACE RIDER DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTTurin, December 9, 2020 – Thales Alenia Space (Thales 67 %, Leonardo 33 %), and AVIO as co-contractor, signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the development of the automated reusable Space Rider transportation system, designed for deployment by the new Vega C light launcher into low Earth orbit (LEO). The total worth of the contract is 167M€ . Space Rider is Europe’s solution for its own affordable and reusable end-to-end integrated space transportation system for unmanned missions and for routine access and return from low orbit. It will be used to transport a variety of payloads into different low Earth orbit (LEO) altitudes and inclinations.Designed as a free-flying orbital platform, Space Rider is capable of remaining two months in orbit, safely re-entering the atmosphere and landing on the ground with a precision of 150 metres. It can be recovered along with its payload, refurbished, and reused for up to six missions.Leading a consortium of European manufacturers, research centers and universities, Thales Alenia Space is responsible for the development of the reentry module (RM), the most challenging of the project derived from the IXV, experimental space shuttle made in Italy with the strong support from the Italian space agency ASI and tested in 2015. AVIO is in charge of the propulsions system and the expendable service module. Space Rider will be launched into space aboard the Vega C launcher, developed by AVIO for the European Space Agency....Planned to be launch on 2023 by Vega C light launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Space Rider system overall length is 9.7m; it records 2430 kg wet mass and can accommodate up to 600kg of payload inside a 1.2 cubic meter cargo bay. The re-entry vehicle will reach Mach 28 speed at 90 km of altitude, and sustain maximum temperature of 1700K at the nose heat stagnation; subsonic parachute will open at 16 Km altitude at around 0.73 Mach decelerating the vehicle down to 50 m/s; final part of the descent is under parafoil which has the function of energy management and aero brake (flare maneuver) to limit the landing run after touch down.
QuoteTHALES ALENIA SPACE AND AVIO SIGN WITH EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY THE SPACE RIDER DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTTurin, December 9, 2020 – Thales Alenia Space (Thales 67 %, Leonardo 33 %), and AVIO as co-contractor, signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) for the development of the automated reusable Space Rider transportation system, designed for deployment by the new Vega C light launcher into low Earth orbit (LEO). The total worth of the contract is 167M€ . Space Rider is Europe’s solution for its own affordable and reusable end-to-end integrated space transportation system for unmanned missions and for routine access and return from low orbit. It will be used to transport a variety of payloads into different low Earth orbit (LEO) altitudes and inclinations.Designed as a free-flying orbital platform, Space Rider is capable of remaining two months in orbit, safely re-entering the atmosphere and landing on the ground with a precision of 150 metres. It can be recovered along with its payload, refurbished, and reused for up to six missions.Leading a consortium of European manufacturers, research centers and universities, Thales Alenia Space is responsible for the development of the reentry module (RM), the most challenging of the project derived from the IXV, experimental space shuttle made in Italy with the strong support from the Italian space agency ASI and tested in 2015. AVIO is in charge of the propulsions system and the expendable service module. Space Rider will be launched into space aboard the Vega C launcher, developed by AVIO for the European Space Agency....Planned to be launch on 2023 by Vega C light launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Space Rider system overall length is 9.7m; it records 2430 kg wet mass and can accommodate up to 600kg of payload inside a 1.2 cubic meter cargo bay. The re-entry vehicle will reach Mach 28 speed at 90 km of altitude, and sustain maximum temperature of 1700K at the nose heat stagnation; subsonic parachute will open at 16 Km altitude at around 0.73 Mach decelerating the vehicle down to 50 m/s; final part of the descent is under parafoil which has the function of energy management and aero brake (flare maneuver) to limit the landing run after touch down. https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press-release/thales-alenia-space-and-avio-sign-european-space-agency-space-rider
Quote from: Mammutti on 12/09/2020 04:02 pmQuoteTHALES ALENIA SPACE AND AVIO SIGN WITH EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY THE SPACE RIDER DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT...Planned to be launch on 2023 by Vega C light launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Space Rider system overall length is 9.7m; it records 2430 kg wet mass and can accommodate up to 600kg of payload inside a 1.2 cubic meter cargo bay. The re-entry vehicle will reach Mach 28 speed at 90 km of altitude, and sustain maximum temperature of 1700K at the nose heat stagnation; subsonic parachute will open at 16 Km altitude at around 0.73 Mach decelerating the vehicle down to 50 m/s; final part of the descent is under parafoil which has the function of energy management and aero brake (flare maneuver) to limit the landing run after touch down. https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press-release/thales-alenia-space-and-avio-sign-european-space-agency-space-rider"Vega-C Light" launcher or "Vega-C" light launcher ?
QuoteTHALES ALENIA SPACE AND AVIO SIGN WITH EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY THE SPACE RIDER DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT...Planned to be launch on 2023 by Vega C light launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Space Rider system overall length is 9.7m; it records 2430 kg wet mass and can accommodate up to 600kg of payload inside a 1.2 cubic meter cargo bay. The re-entry vehicle will reach Mach 28 speed at 90 km of altitude, and sustain maximum temperature of 1700K at the nose heat stagnation; subsonic parachute will open at 16 Km altitude at around 0.73 Mach decelerating the vehicle down to 50 m/s; final part of the descent is under parafoil which has the function of energy management and aero brake (flare maneuver) to limit the landing run after touch down. https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press-release/thales-alenia-space-and-avio-sign-european-space-agency-space-rider
THALES ALENIA SPACE AND AVIO SIGN WITH EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY THE SPACE RIDER DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT...Planned to be launch on 2023 by Vega C light launcher from the Guiana Space Center, Space Rider system overall length is 9.7m; it records 2430 kg wet mass and can accommodate up to 600kg of payload inside a 1.2 cubic meter cargo bay. The re-entry vehicle will reach Mach 28 speed at 90 km of altitude, and sustain maximum temperature of 1700K at the nose heat stagnation; subsonic parachute will open at 16 Km altitude at around 0.73 Mach decelerating the vehicle down to 50 m/s; final part of the descent is under parafoil which has the function of energy management and aero brake (flare maneuver) to limit the landing run after touch down.
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.
These stunning new renders of @esa_SpaceRider were recently shared by the agency's Director of Space Transportation Daniel Neuenschwander. I can't wait for the maiden launch.
I am away for a much-needed week-long vacation. So, this week I've set up a few automated posts with some of my old infographics with updated info, starting with @esa_SpaceRider. The graphic has the updated maiden launch date and a new section outlining its current status.
Europe’s bid to deliver a return-to-Earth service for in-orbit transportation and research projects is rapidly taking shape, with teams working on the Space Rider spacecraft gearing up for a series of drop tests in 2023. Drop tests with small-scale models will be followed by a full-scale test in anticipation of inaugural flight towards the end of 2024. Engineering teams recently concluded the project’s critical design review and expect to consolidate the design early in 2023. Work is also underway to finalise selection of payloads that will fly on the first flight. The reusable Space Rider will be a so-called lifting body vehicle, about the size of two minivans. It is designed to land with 150m accuracy under a steerable parachute known as a parafoil, which will be the subject of some of the upcoming drop tests. Launch will be by the Vega-C rocket, which completed its inaugural flight in July 2022 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
✅ #ICYMI #SpaceRider, our reusable space vehicle, got a thumbs up to move into Phase D of development: building and testing 👍🔗 @esa_transport @ESA_Tech
Space Rider enters phase D for drop tests28/07/2023ESA / Enabling & Support / Space Transportation / Space RiderIn briefLast month ESA’s reusable space vehicle got a thumbs up to move into phase D of development: building and testing.In-depthSpace Rider is an uncrewed robotic laboratory about the size of two minivans that can stay in orbit for two months. It comes in two parts, the orbital module that supplies everything the spacecraft needs to fly around our planet and a reentry module that allows Space Rider and its experiments to return to Earth.The orbital module is an extension to the Vega-C launcher fourth stage that will guarantee power supply, orbital manoeuvring, and attitude control. The reentry module is the part of the vehicle that houses experiments and provides protection from the intensive heat that occurs entering Earth's atmosphere as well as the landing system.The review last month gives the final go-ahead for Space Rider programme to build the elements of the spacecraft as well as start intensive tests to qualify how the spacecraft will fly, return to Earth, and land. Qualification models of several units and systems have been already delivered and upon successful test campaigns, flight models will be authorised for manufacturing.Every way the wind blowsSpace Rider uses a novel technique for braking from its orbital speeds of 28 800 km/h to a soft landing on a runway to be built at Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Coming out of the supersonic speeds, at about 5 km from the landing strip Space Rider will release a parafoil and steer itself automatically to a soft landing.Tests on a smaller parafoil will start this month to prepare for a full-scale test later this year using a 70 m2 parafoil. The smaller tests will allow engineers to tweak the algorithms that will pilot the spacecraft using winches to pull and release the canopy – just like a human parapente pilot does.Nobody controls the weather, and more tests are set for next year under the worst possible conditions. The system drop test will put all the elements together and see how the landing system, software and parafoil work together for a gentle touchdown regardless of wind.The landing gear itself is also novel, Space Rider will feature a wheel at the front and two skids at the back, this design is better for the stability in case of crosswinds at landing and as the skids are flatter than wheels it allows more room inside Space Rider for the experiments.“Moving to Phase D in development is a milestone for all spaceflight projects, and the Space Rider team is looking forward to putting our theory into practice on this unique project,” says Dante Galli, Space Rider programme manager.
https://twitter.com/esa/status/1685228793286324224
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 07/29/2023 10:06 amhttps://twitter.com/esa/status/1685228793286324224Doesn't look like the future to me .
Doesn't look like the future to me .
An update on ESA’s Space Rider program, which has now begun its validation and testing phase ahead of an expected launch in 2025. Space Rider's Program Manager spoke with NSF's Bella (@bellaa_richards) to update on the program’s status:
Teams from Telespazio, ALTEC, and Thales Alenia Space have successfully completed the first ground segment tests for the European Space Agency’s reusable Space Rider spacecraft.
Space Rider was initially scheduled to complete its maiden flight in 2023, however, several delays have pushed the date back. According to Galli, the new target date is now the third quarter of 2025.
The new version of the Space Rider user guide collects all the updates since the project passed its critical design review last year, the final step before moving to production.
The Space Rider manual provides an overview of the vehicle, its services and various mission scenarios. The manual gives users high-level knowledge and allows potential future users to plan for commercial mission opportunities. It is available to download, print and archive for anyone who wants to use the spacecraft in the future, or even if you just want to say you’ve read a spacecraft manual.The document ends with details on the vehicle and technical aspects for the payloads.
Future autonomous orbital laboratory Space Rider undergoes drop tests in Sardinia 🇮🇹Dropped by helicopter from heights of 3.5 km, drogue chutes deployed to slow down the test model down to a safe speed to extract a parafoil that will allow the future spacecraft to be steered to a landing strip. The enormous paraglider is 27 m long and 10 m wide – around 10 times larger than a human parafoil – is controlled from ground to test the aerodynamics involved. The test model touched down in a soft landing as planned losing altitude at a slow 12 km/h. The Space Rider project is an uncrewed laboratory about the size of two minivans that will be able to stay in orbit for up to two months. @Thales_Alenia_S is the industrial lead for the tests and co-prime for the #SpaceRider programme. @MinisteroDifesa supports the test activities as part of a national effort to enhance its space capabilities and international collaboration in the sector.
