Europe’s first reusable ‘Space Rider’ moves toward orbital debut after key tests

ESA says Space Rider has cleared major structural and subsystem qualification milestones, including thermal protection and re-entry systems.

The uncrewed reusable spacecraft is now closer to flight readiness, but no launch date has been announced.

Space Rider is designed for low Earth orbit missions, sample return and microgravity research, supported by Vega-C.