Space Rider
Artist's rendering of Space Rider from 2017 (RM on front—left, AOM behind—right) | |
| Names | Space Reusable Integrated Demonstrator for Europe Return |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Uncrewed reusable spaceplane |
| Operator | European Space Agency |
| Website | ESA.int: Space Rider |
| Mission duration | 60 days (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Space Rider |
| Spacecraft type | Lifting body spaceplane |
| Manufacturer | Avio, 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 | Q1 2028 (planned) |
| Rocket | Vega-C+ |
| Launch site | Guiana Space Centre |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| End of mission | |
| Landing site | Santa Maria Island |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
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. 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. Its maiden flight is currently scheduled for Q1 2028. It is intended to be put into space by the Vega C medium lift launch vehicle.