Jump to content

Space Rider: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Maiden flight now expected in the fourth quarter of 2023; changed RIDER → Rider, per current ESA usage
Alignment with the Project Manager update published in Feb 2022.
Line 19: Line 19:
| launch_mass = Approx. 4900 kg (Full stack AOM + RM, including fluids and propellants)<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| launch_mass = Approx. 4900 kg (Full stack AOM + RM, including fluids and propellants)<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| landing_mass = up to 2850kg<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| landing_mass = up to 2850kg<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| payload_mass = {{cvt|620|kg}}<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| payload_mass = {{cvt|600|kg}}<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| dimensions = Length: {{cvt|8.044|m}} (Full stack AOM + RM)<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| dimensions = Length: {{cvt|8.044|m}} (Full stack AOM + RM)<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| power = 600 [[watt]]s<ref name='SR Factsheet'/>
| power = 600 [[watt]]s<ref name='SR Factsheet'/>
| launch_date = Q4 2023 (planned)<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| launch_date = Q4 2023 (planned)<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| launch_rocket = [[Vega-C]]
| launch_rocket = [[Vega-C]]
| launch_site = [[Guiana Space Centre|Centre Spatial Guyanais]]
| launch_site = [[Guiana Space Centre|Guiana Space Centre]]
| launch_contractor = [[Arianespace]]
| launch_contractor = [[Arianespace]]
| landing_date =
| landing_date =
| landing_site = [[Guiana Space Centre|Centre Spatial Guyanais]]<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| landing_site = [[Guiana Space Centre|Guiana Space Centre]]<ref name='Space Rider programme manager update'/>
| orbit_reference = [[Geocentric orbit|Geocentric]]
| orbit_reference = [[Geocentric orbit|Geocentric]]
| orbit_regime = [[Low Earth orbit]]
| orbit_regime = [[Low Earth orbit]]
Line 52: Line 52:
Funding was initially approved by the ESA in 2016, with the project to be led by the [[Italian Aerospace Research Centre]] (CIRA).<ref name='bbc'>{{cite news|last1=Coppinger|first1=Rob|title=The reusable spaceplane launched inside a rocket|url=http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170411-the-reusable-spaceplane-launched-inside-a-rocket|access-date=19 December 2017|publisher=BBC|date=11 April 2017}}</ref> [[Thales Alenia Space]] and [[Lockheed Martin]] were tasked with completing the design by 2019. In November 2017, the ESA approved funding to Thales Alenia Space and [[Avio]] to build reentry and service modules, respectively.<ref name='sn_funding'>{{cite news|last1=Henry|first1=Caleb|title=ESA pours US$107 million into Vega E and a reusable spaceplane|url=http://spacenews.com/esa-pours-107-million-into-vega-e-and-a-reusable-spaceplane/|access-date=19 December 2017|publisher=SpaceNews|date=30 November 2017}}</ref> In late November 2019, the project was fully approved by ESA and will be funded mostly by [[Italy]],<ref>[https://spacenews.com/italy-satisfied-with-outcome-of-esa-ministerial/ Italy satisfied with outcome of ESA ministerial] Jeff Foust, ''SpaceNews'' 29 November 2019</ref><ref>[https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/11/europe-gives-space-programs-big-boost Europe gives space programs a big boost] Daniel Clery, ''Science'' 28 November 2019</ref> and 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 company operating in the space sector.<ref name='Space Rider PRIDE'/> The [[Italian Space Agency]] (ASI) subsequently contracted with [[Virgin Galactic]] for a suborbital research flight on [[SpaceShipTwo]] for research related to Space Rider.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Foust|first1=Jeff|title=Virgin Galactic signs SpaceShipTwo research flight deal with Italian space agency|url=http://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-signs-spaceshiptwo-research-flight-deal-with-italian-space-agency/|access-date=19 December 2017|publisher=SpaceNews|date=19 December 2017}}</ref> The first flight of Space Rider is now scheduled in late 2023.<ref name=ESA-contract>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Space_Rider/ESA_signs_contracts_for_reusable_Space_Rider_up_to_maiden_flight|title=ESA signs contracts for reusable Space Rider up to maiden flight}}</ref>
Funding was initially approved by the ESA in 2016, with the project to be led by the [[Italian Aerospace Research Centre]] (CIRA).<ref name='bbc'>{{cite news|last1=Coppinger|first1=Rob|title=The reusable spaceplane launched inside a rocket|url=http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20170411-the-reusable-spaceplane-launched-inside-a-rocket|access-date=19 December 2017|publisher=BBC|date=11 April 2017}}</ref> [[Thales Alenia Space]] and [[Lockheed Martin]] were tasked with completing the design by 2019. In November 2017, the ESA approved funding to Thales Alenia Space and [[Avio]] to build reentry and service modules, respectively.<ref name='sn_funding'>{{cite news|last1=Henry|first1=Caleb|title=ESA pours US$107 million into Vega E and a reusable spaceplane|url=http://spacenews.com/esa-pours-107-million-into-vega-e-and-a-reusable-spaceplane/|access-date=19 December 2017|publisher=SpaceNews|date=30 November 2017}}</ref> In late November 2019, the project was fully approved by ESA and will be funded mostly by [[Italy]],<ref>[https://spacenews.com/italy-satisfied-with-outcome-of-esa-ministerial/ Italy satisfied with outcome of ESA ministerial] Jeff Foust, ''SpaceNews'' 29 November 2019</ref><ref>[https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/11/europe-gives-space-programs-big-boost Europe gives space programs a big boost] Daniel Clery, ''Science'' 28 November 2019</ref> and 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 company operating in the space sector.<ref name='Space Rider PRIDE'/> The [[Italian Space Agency]] (ASI) subsequently contracted with [[Virgin Galactic]] for a suborbital research flight on [[SpaceShipTwo]] for research related to Space Rider.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Foust|first1=Jeff|title=Virgin Galactic signs SpaceShipTwo research flight deal with Italian space agency|url=http://spacenews.com/virgin-galactic-signs-spaceshiptwo-research-flight-deal-with-italian-space-agency/|access-date=19 December 2017|publisher=SpaceNews|date=19 December 2017}}</ref> The first flight of Space Rider is now scheduled in late 2023.<ref name=ESA-contract>{{Cite web|url=https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Space_Rider/ESA_signs_contracts_for_reusable_Space_Rider_up_to_maiden_flight|title=ESA signs contracts for reusable Space Rider up to maiden flight}}</ref>


In April 2018, ESA released an Announcement of Opportunity (AoO) to fly small payloads onboard Space Rider's maiden flight.<ref name="spaceRider">{{cite web |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2018/04/12/announcement-opportunity-fly-payloads-esas-space-rider/|title=Announcement of Opportunity to Fly Payloads on ESA's Space RIDER|publisher=Parabolic Arc|first=Doug |last=Messier|access-date=23 August 2018}}</ref> By June 2019, the project was advancing towards the [[Design review (U.S. government)|Critical Design Review]] (CDR) at the end of 2019.<ref name="esa-20190605" />
In April 2018, ESA released an Announcement of Opportunity (AoO) to fly small payloads onboard Space Rider's maiden flight.<ref name="spaceRider">{{cite web |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2018/04/12/announcement-opportunity-fly-payloads-esas-space-rider/|title=Announcement of Opportunity to Fly Payloads on ESA's Space RIDER|publisher=Parabolic Arc|first=Doug |last=Messier|access-date=23 August 2018}}</ref> By June 2019, the project was advancing towards the [[Design review (U.S. government)|Critical Design Review]] (CDR) at the end of 2019.<ref name="esa-20190605" /> 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.<ref name="Space Rider programme manager update" />


On completion of the two-month long maiden mission, Space Rider will return to [[Earth]] with the payloads stowed in its cargo bay.<ref name="spaceRider"/> This qualification flight of Space Rider will take place in 2023 <ref name="ESADec20"/> followed by several missions to demonstrate a range of capabilities and orbits, before handing over the project to the private sector.<ref name='Pultarova 2018'>[https://spacenews.com/esa-targets-2021-for-space-rider-demo-flight/ ESA targets 2021 for Space RIDER demo flight] Tereza Pultarova, ''SpaceNews'' 13 November 2018</ref> By 2025, the ESA plans to privatise the Space Rider, with [[Arianespace]] the likely operator.<ref name='private'>{{cite news|last1=Coppinger|first1=Rob|title=ESA aims to privatize Space RIDER unmanned spaceplane by 2025|url=http://spacenews.com/esa-aims-to-privatize-space-rider-unmanned-spaceplane-by-2025/|access-date=19 December 2017|publisher=SpaceNews|date=22 June 2017}}</ref>
On completion of the two-month long maiden mission, Space Rider will return to [[Earth]] with the payloads stowed in its cargo bay.<ref name="spaceRider"/> This qualification flight of Space Rider will take place in 2023 <ref name="ESADec20"/> followed by several missions to demonstrate a range of capabilities and orbits, before handing over the project to the private sector.<ref name='Pultarova 2018'>[https://spacenews.com/esa-targets-2021-for-space-rider-demo-flight/ ESA targets 2021 for Space RIDER demo flight] Tereza Pultarova, ''SpaceNews'' 13 November 2018</ref> By 2025, the ESA plans to privatise the Space Rider, with [[Arianespace]] the likely operator.<ref name='private'>{{cite news|last1=Coppinger|first1=Rob|title=ESA aims to privatize Space RIDER unmanned spaceplane by 2025|url=http://spacenews.com/esa-aims-to-privatize-space-rider-unmanned-spaceplane-by-2025/|access-date=19 December 2017|publisher=SpaceNews|date=22 June 2017}}</ref>
Line 63: Line 63:
In 2019, some [[parafoil]] guided landing tests will{{update after|2020}} be performed by dropping a full-scale model from helicopters or balloons.<ref name='bbc'/>
In 2019, some [[parafoil]] guided landing tests will{{update after|2020}} be performed by dropping a full-scale model from helicopters or balloons.<ref name='bbc'/>


Space Rider is designed to launch atop the [[Vega (rocket)|Vega-C]] [[launch vehicle]],<ref name='private'/><ref name="SR Factsheet">{{cite web |url=https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/space_transportation/Space_Rider_factsheet_HiRes_ok.pdf|title=SPACE RIDER|publisher=ESA|access-date=2018-11-16}}</ref> and its maiden flight will be from the French Guiana in 2023, to land on a runway on [[Santa Maria Island]], in the [[Azores]].<ref name='private'/> The spacecraft is being designed to conduct missions up to two months long in [[low Earth orbit]] with up to 800&nbsp;kg of cargo.<ref name='SR Factsheet'/><ref name='Descent Subsystem 2017'/> The re-entry module itself is a [[testbed]] for entry technologies as the IXV precursor was, so future improvements are envisioned,<ref name='Haya 2017'>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319980436_Mission_and_GNC_Challenges_from_IXV_to_Space_Rider Mission and GNC Challenges from IXV to Space RIDER] Rodrigo Haya Ramos, Davide Bonetti, ''Research Gate'' Conference: Fourteenth International Planetary Probe Workshop, The Hague, The Netherlands June 2017</ref> including point-to-point flights, even "space tourism".<ref name='bbc'/>
Space Rider is designed to launch atop the [[Vega (rocket)|Vega-C]] [[launch vehicle]],<ref name='private'/><ref name="SR Factsheet">{{cite web |url=https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/space_transportation/Space_Rider_factsheet_HiRes_ok.pdf|title=SPACE RIDER|publisher=ESA|access-date=2018-11-16}}</ref> and its maiden flight will be from the French Guiana in 2023, to land in [[Guiana Space Centre]].<ref name="Space Rider programme manager update" /> The spacecraft is being designed to conduct missions up to two months long in [[low Earth orbit]] with up to 600&nbsp;kg<ref name="Space Rider programme manager update" /> of cargo.<ref name='SR Factsheet'/><ref name='Descent Subsystem 2017'/> The re-entry module itself is a [[testbed]] for entry technologies as the IXV precursor was, so future improvements are envisioned,<ref name='Haya 2017'>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319980436_Mission_and_GNC_Challenges_from_IXV_to_Space_Rider Mission and GNC Challenges from IXV to Space RIDER] Rodrigo Haya Ramos, Davide Bonetti, ''Research Gate'' Conference: Fourteenth International Planetary Probe Workshop, The Hague, The Netherlands June 2017</ref> including point-to-point flights, even "space tourism".<ref name='bbc'/>


Activities for Phase-B2/C, covering the [[Design review (U.S. government)|Preliminary Design Review]] (PDR) started on 25 January 2018,<ref>[https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/space-rider.htm Space RIDER] ''Gunter's Space Page</ref> and the [[Design review (U.S. government)|Critical Design Review]] (CDR) begin in late 2019.<ref name="esa-20190605" />
Activities for Phase-B2/C, covering the [[Design review (U.S. government)|Preliminary Design Review]] (PDR) started on 25 January 2018,<ref>[https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/space-rider.htm Space RIDER] ''Gunter's Space Page</ref> and the [[Design review (U.S. government)|Critical Design Review]] (CDR) begin in late 2019.<ref name="esa-20190605" /> 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.<ref name="Space Rider programme manager update" />


=== Service module ===
=== Service module ===
Line 75: Line 75:
Upon [[atmospheric entry]], the lifting body shape will decelerate the spacecraft to subsonic speed (below [[Mach number|Mach]] 0.8), when one or two [[drogue parachute]] will be deployed at about 15–12&nbsp;km altitude to slow it further (to Mach 0.18 - 0.22)<ref name='Descent Subsystem 2017'>[https://www.eucass.eu/doi/EUCASS2017-624.pdf Conceptual Design of the Descent Subsystem for the Safe Atmospheric Re-Entry Flight of Space RIDER] {{doi|10.13009/EUCASS2017-624}} Alessandro Balossino, Luciano Battocchio, Matteo Giacci, Giuseppe Guidotti, Giuseppe Rufolo, Angelo Denaro, Nicola Paletta, Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali 2017</ref> Then, a controllable gliding parachute called [[parafoil]] will be deployed to begin the controlled descent phase for a nearly horizontal touchdown (≈35&nbsp;m/s) using no wheels.<ref name='Descent Subsystem 2017'/> The landing concept is similar to the [[NASA X-38]] landing system.<ref name='Descent Subsystem 2017'/>
Upon [[atmospheric entry]], the lifting body shape will decelerate the spacecraft to subsonic speed (below [[Mach number|Mach]] 0.8), when one or two [[drogue parachute]] will be deployed at about 15–12&nbsp;km altitude to slow it further (to Mach 0.18 - 0.22)<ref name='Descent Subsystem 2017'>[https://www.eucass.eu/doi/EUCASS2017-624.pdf Conceptual Design of the Descent Subsystem for the Safe Atmospheric Re-Entry Flight of Space RIDER] {{doi|10.13009/EUCASS2017-624}} Alessandro Balossino, Luciano Battocchio, Matteo Giacci, Giuseppe Guidotti, Giuseppe Rufolo, Angelo Denaro, Nicola Paletta, Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali 2017</ref> Then, a controllable gliding parachute called [[parafoil]] will be deployed to begin the controlled descent phase for a nearly horizontal touchdown (≈35&nbsp;m/s) using no wheels.<ref name='Descent Subsystem 2017'/> The landing concept is similar to the [[NASA X-38]] landing system.<ref name='Descent Subsystem 2017'/>


For orbits with [[Orbital inclination|inclination]] >37°, landings will be performed at the Portuguese [[Santa Maria Airport (Azores)|Santa Maria Island]] in the Azores archipelago. For lower inclination missions, [[Guiana Space Centre|French Guiana]] and Dutch [[Curaçao]] are being considered.<ref name='SR Factsheet'/>
The baseline landing site is the [[Guiana Space Centre]].<ref name="Space Rider programme manager update" /> For orbits with [[Orbital inclination|inclination]] >37°, landings could be performed at the Portuguese [[Santa Maria Airport (Azores)|Santa Maria Island]] in the Azores archipelago.
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


Revision as of 06:43, 10 April 2022

This article is about the spaceship. For the 1984 film, see Space Riders. For other uses, see Spacerider (disambiguation).

Space Rider[1]
Artist's rendering of Space Rider spaceship
NamesSpace Reusable Integrated Demonstrator for Europe Return [2]
Mission typeReusable spaceplane
OperatorESA
Websitem.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Transportation/Space_Rider
Mission duration60 days (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSpace RIDER
Spacecraft typeLifting body spaceplane
ManufacturerAvio and Thales Alenia Space[1]
Launch massApprox. 4900 kg (Full stack AOM + RM, including fluids and propellants)[1]
Landing massup to 2850kg[1]
Payload mass600 kg (1,300 lb)[1]
DimensionsLength: 8.044 m (26.39 ft) (Full stack AOM + RM)[1]
Power600 watts[3]
Start of mission
Launch dateQ4 2023 (planned)[1]
RocketVega-C
Launch siteGuiana Space Centre
ContractorArianespace
End of mission
Landing siteGuiana Space Centre[1]
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth orbit
← IXV

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.[4][5][6] Contracts for construction of the vehicle and ground infrastructure were signed in December 2020.[7] Its expected maiden flight is in the fourth quarter of 2023.[1]

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][8] launched on 11 February 2015. The cost of this phase, not including the launcher, is at least US$36.7 million.[9] 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.[10]

History

The European Space Agency has a program called Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP), which made a call for submissions for a reusable spaceplane.[11] One of the submissions was by the Italian Space Agency, that presented their own Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe (PRIDE programme) which went ahead to develop the precursor called Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) and the resulting Space Rider.[2]

Funding was initially approved by the ESA in 2016, with the project to be led by the Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA).[9] Thales Alenia Space and Lockheed Martin were tasked with completing the design by 2019. In November 2017, the ESA approved funding to Thales Alenia Space and Avio to build reentry and service modules, respectively.[12] In late November 2019, the project was fully approved by ESA and will be funded mostly by Italy,[13][14] and 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 company 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.[15] The first flight of Space Rider is now scheduled in late 2023.[16]

In April 2018, ESA released an Announcement of Opportunity (AoO) to fly small payloads onboard Space Rider's maiden flight.[17] By June 2019, the project was advancing towards the Critical Design Review (CDR) at the end of 2019.[6] 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]

On completion of the two-month long maiden mission, Space Rider will return to Earth with the payloads stowed in its cargo bay.[17] This qualification flight of Space Rider will take place in 2023 [7] followed by several missions to demonstrate a range of capabilities and orbits, before handing over the project to the private sector.[18] By 2025, the ESA plans to privatise the Space Rider, with Arianespace the likely operator.[19]

Design

The Space Rider design inherits technology developed for the earlier Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, also within the Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe (PRIDE).[2][9][12] The design team considered the trade-offs of using only a lifting body and also using optional wings or vertical fins.[8] It was then decided in 2017 that the design should optimise the internal volume of the Vega rocket fairing, so its aerodynamic shape will be a simple lifting body, as tested on its predecessor, the IXV.[8] 3-axis control is achieved by the use of rear flaps.[8]

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.[17]

In 2019, some parafoil guided landing tests will[needs update] be performed by dropping a full-scale model from helicopters or balloons.[9]

Space Rider is designed to launch atop the Vega-C launch vehicle,[19][3] and its maiden flight will be from the French Guiana in 2023, to land in Guiana Space Centre.[1] The spacecraft is being designed to conduct missions up to two months long in low Earth orbit with up to 600 kg[1] of cargo.[3][20] The re-entry module itself is a testbed for entry technologies as the IXV precursor was, so future improvements are envisioned,[21] including point-to-point flights, even "space tourism".[9]

Activities for Phase-B2/C, covering the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) started on 25 January 2018,[22] and the Critical Design Review (CDR) begin in late 2019.[6] 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]

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.[23] 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 15–12 km altitude to slow it further (to Mach 0.18 - 0.22)[20] Then, a controllable gliding parachute called parafoil will be deployed to begin the controlled descent phase for a nearly horizontal touchdown (≈35 m/s) using no wheels.[20] The landing concept is similar to the NASA X-38 landing system.[20]

The baseline landing site is the Guiana Space Centre.[1] For orbits with inclination >37°, landings could be performed at the Portuguese Santa Maria Island in the Azores archipelago.

Preliminary specifications

Space Rider Parameter/units
Crew None (robotic only)
Length ≥ 8.044 m (26.39 ft)[1]
RM Length ≥ 4.6 m (15 ft)[1]
AOM Length ≥ 3.5 m (11 ft)[1]
Payload volume ≥ 1.2 m3 (1200 liters)
Mass Max. 4,900 kg (10,800 lb)[1]
Payload mass 620 kg (1,370 lb)[1]
Flight time At least 60 days[23]
Landing mass 2,850 kg (6,280 lb)[1]
Landing accuracy 150 m [20]
Landing speeds Horizontal: 35 m/s; vertical: 3 m/s [20]
Parachute deployment shock < 4 g[20]
Power 600 watts[3]
Reusability 6 flights [3]
Turnaround time <6 months [3]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Parsonson, Andrew (14 February 2022). "ESA Space Rider update from programme manager Dante Galli". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e Space RIDER PRIDE Italian Aerospace Research Centre (CIRA) Accessed: 15 November 2018
  3. ^ a b c d e f "SPACE RIDER" (PDF). ESA. Retrieved 2018-11-16.
  4. ^ "Space Rider". esa.int. ESA. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  5. ^ ESA's reusable Space RIDER capsule would carry equipment to orbit and back Michael Irving, New Atlas 6 June 2019
  6. ^ a b c d "Space Rider: Europe's reusable space transport system". ESA. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  7. ^ a b "ESA signs contracts for reusable Space Rider up to maiden flight". ESA. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d Aeroshape Trade-Off and Aerodynamic Analysis of the Space RIDER Vehicle M. Marini, M. Di Clemente, G. Guidotti, G. Rufolo, O. Lambert, N. Joiner, D. Charbonnier, M.V. Pricop, M.G. Cojocaru, D. Pepelea, C. Stoica, and A. Denaro, 7th European Conference for Aeronautics and Space Sciences (EUCASS) 2017
  9. ^ a b c d e Coppinger, Rob (11 April 2017). "The reusable spaceplane launched inside a rocket". BBC. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  10. ^ DLR (28 November 2019). "Launcher Programme Subscription" (PDF). DLR Countdown Newsletter Special Edition: 43.
  11. ^ New milestone in IXV development ESA 15 September 2010
  12. ^ a b Henry, Caleb (30 November 2017). "ESA pours US$107 million into Vega E and a reusable spaceplane". SpaceNews. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  13. ^ Italy satisfied with outcome of ESA ministerial Jeff Foust, SpaceNews 29 November 2019
  14. ^ Europe gives space programs a big boost Daniel Clery, Science 28 November 2019
  15. ^ Foust, Jeff (19 December 2017). "Virgin Galactic signs SpaceShipTwo research flight deal with Italian space agency". SpaceNews. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  16. ^ "ESA signs contracts for reusable Space Rider up to maiden flight".
  17. ^ a b c Messier, Doug. "Announcement of Opportunity to Fly Payloads on ESA's Space RIDER". Parabolic Arc. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  18. ^ ESA targets 2021 for Space RIDER demo flight Tereza Pultarova, SpaceNews 13 November 2018
  19. ^ a b Coppinger, Rob (22 June 2017). "ESA aims to privatize Space RIDER unmanned spaceplane by 2025". SpaceNews. Retrieved 19 December 2017.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g Conceptual Design of the Descent Subsystem for the Safe Atmospheric Re-Entry Flight of Space RIDER doi:10.13009/EUCASS2017-624 Alessandro Balossino, Luciano Battocchio, Matteo Giacci, Giuseppe Guidotti, Giuseppe Rufolo, Angelo Denaro, Nicola Paletta, Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali 2017
  21. ^ Mission and GNC Challenges from IXV to Space RIDER Rodrigo Haya Ramos, Davide Bonetti, Research Gate Conference: Fourteenth International Planetary Probe Workshop, The Hague, The Netherlands June 2017
  22. ^ Space RIDER Gunter's Space Page
  23. ^ a b Focus on Vega developments European Space Agency Published by PhysOrg on 26 November 2018
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Space_Rider&oldid=1081876971"