News ESA signs contract for "Space Rider" reusable spacecraft

[Urwumpe]

So, the IXV has found its follow up project, it will now grow into the Space Rider spacecraft, a small reusable spacecraft for the VEGA launcher. It will have a launch mass of 2400 kg, 800 kg of this can be payload. The payload bay will be conditioned and it will also come with a small robot arm. Planned turnaround time between missions is 4 months.

http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Transportation/Space_Rider

Space Rider fact sheet

 

[Wolf]

I wanna see an ESA Space Shuttle

 

[C3PO]

Knock yourself out.
https://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=2605

 

[Wolf]

Knock yourself out.
https://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=2605

Not exactly what I had in my mind :lol:

 

[RGClark]

Thanks for that. At that size it could be carried by an all-liquid launch system derived from the Ariane 5 core:

A half-size Ariane for manned spaceflight.
http://exoscientist.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-half-size-ariane-for-manned.html

The one-man Mercury capsule weighed 1,100 kg. With modern materials we could probably make a one-man capsule half-that size. Then it would fit in the 800 payload capacity of the Space Rider.

Being liquid-fueled the first stage could also be made reusable to save on launch costs, a la the Falcon 9.


Edit:
Found this image of the FlexCraft, a one-man EVA pod:

It only has enough air for 8 hours, but weighing less than 500 kg, means the extra 300 kg payload capacity of the Space Rider could be used for additional air, food and water.

Bob Clark

 

[Capt_hensley]

Too much BUS, not enough vehicle, My guess is this will either be canceled like the rest, or be evolved quickly.

 

[Urwumpe]

Too much BUS, not enough vehicle, My guess is this will either be canceled like the rest, or be evolved quickly.

Does not sound like that. Especially chemical and medical companies in Europe are already itching to put payloads on it. Its essentially the return of the Columbus freeflyer.

Also politically, its hard to cancel that project. Remember, what a country pays into ESA, it gets the money back as contracts... and Italy and many other small ESA members need such a project, if they are not wanting to be constant subcontractors.

 

[Capt_hensley]

Does not sound like that. Especially chemical and medical companies in Europe are already itching to put payloads on it. Its essentially the return of the Columbus freeflyer.

Also politically, its hard to cancel that project. Remember, what a country pays into ESA, it gets the money back as contracts... and Italy and many other small ESA members need such a project, if they are not wanting to be constant subcontractors.

I guess we have to wait and see... Thanks!

 

[Urwumpe]

I guess we have to wait and see... Thanks!

Well, it ain't no Tesla. But maybe we could launch an Piaggio Ape with it. :lol: