Tag: Reusable Launch Systems
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ESA Delays Space Rider Drop Test After Anomaly During Helicopter Ascent
The European Space Agency (ESA) has postponed a key drop test of its Space Rider reusable spaceplane after an anomaly occurred during a helicopter-assisted ascent phase in May, delaying the final stage of the vehicle’s landing qualification campaign. ESA confirmed that the incident took place during a two-week test campaign that concluded on May 8,…
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ESA Calls on SMEs to Design Fully Reusable Spaceplane Launch System
European Space Agency has issued a call for proposals to design a fully reusable and responsive launch system based on spaceplanes, targeting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) rather than established prime contractors. The call, published on 27 February, seeks proposals for at least two distinct design concepts that could demonstrate how lift-generating spaceplanes might provide…