A full-size Space Rider test model was lost during an October parachute deployment test in Sardinia. The European Space Agency says an independent investigation is examining what went wrong. The reusable, uncrewed orbital laboratory remains under development; the failed drop test followed earlier successful trials with masses representing the vehicle.
A full-size model of Space Rider, Europe’s reusable uncrewed orbital laboratory, was lost during an October drop test in Sardinia. The anomaly occurred in the sequence in which its large parafoil deployed. ANSA’s account quotes the European Space Agency saying that the latest system-level test did not finish as planned. The loss involved the model used in the campaign.[1]
The campaign began in April at Salto di Quirra in Sardinia, a range used for defence tests and training, supported by Italian Army Aviation. The full-size model stood in for the return module. From approximately three kilometres up, a helicopter released it for parachute testing. The parafoil had a width of 10 metres and a length of 27 metres.[1]
ESA says earlier tests with masses representative of the vehicle had succeeded. An independent investigation is examining what went wrong and the next steps. Thales Alenia Space, the Thales–Leonardo joint venture, leads the industrial testing and works on the programme alongside Avio. Space Rider is being developed for orbital missions lasting about two months. According to ANSA, a first flight is envisaged for 2028, in its second quarter.[1]
