A mock-up of Space Rider, the European spacecraft designed to re-enter Earth , failed to complete a test: an anomaly in the deployment of the large parachute wing led to the loss of the mock-up used in tests being conducted in Salto di Quirra, Sardinia. "After several successful tests using representative vehicle masses," the European Space Agency announced in a press release , "the final system-level release test, conducted in October, was not completed as planned due to an anomaly during the parachute (wing) deployment sequence."
" Following the anomaly, the test model was lost ." Developed as ESA's first reusable spacecraft, capable of carrying out in-orbit missions lasting approximately two months as a true uncrewed orbital laboratory, Space Rider's debut is theoretically scheduled for the second quarter of 2028. Leading the development of the spacecraft is Thales Alenia Space (a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo), the industrial leader of the tests and co-contractor with Avio for the program. Since last April, a drop test campaign of the Space Rider model has been underway, in collaboration with the Italian Army Air Force, at the Defence Test and Training Range in Salto di Quirra. This involved helicopter launches from an altitude of approximately three kilometers. Tests used a full-scale "stand-in" for the 4.6-meter-long reentry module to verify the correct deployment of the enormous 27-meter-long and 10-meter-wide parafoil. Following the incident, the ESA statement concludes, " an independent investigation is underway to determine the root cause and define next steps ."
(Unioneonline)
