Europe's Space Rider test model destroyed in drop-test parafoil failure; ESA opens independent investigation
On October 6, ESA released a full-scale Space Rider test model from a helicopter at roughly three kilometres altitude over the Salto di Quirra military range in Sardinia, Italy. The initial drogue parachute deployed as planned, but the main parafoil detached during deployment, leaving the prototype unable to slow its descent before it crashed into the ground and was destroyed. All components were later recovered. ESA, which called the vehicle a test article rather than an operational spacecraft, has opened an independent investigation into the root cause.
ESA Director of Space Transportation Géraldine Naja said the test model was released from a helicopter at about three kilometres altitude. The initial drogue parachute deployed successfully and slowed the vehicle as intended, but the subsequent parafoil deployment failed when the wing parachute detached. The vehicle then crashed. The October test was the final system-level release test of the campaign; a prior test in May 2026 was aborted during captive ascent under a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, though that model was recovered safely. All components of the October test article were recovered after the crash.
ESA stated that the lost vehicle was a full-scale prototype, not the operational spacecraft, and that the incident would not impact the broader development of Space Rider, although the investigation's findings could influence future testing. The agency said that following several successful tests using representative vehicle masses, the latest system-level drop test in October was not completed as planned due to an anomaly during deployment.
The immediate cause was the detachment of the main parafoil during deployment. The parafoil — a 27-by-10-metre wing parachute — is the system that enables Space Rider's controlled landing and reusable design. The test article itself was a 4.6-metre full-scale mockup of the reentry module, equipped with avionics to control autonomous guidance and navigation. ESA's independent investigation is now working to determine the root cause and define next steps.
Space Rider is being developed as Europe's first reusable uncrewed orbital spacecraft, capable of carrying experiments into low Earth orbit and returning them to Earth after missions of roughly two months. Even after the failed test, ESA is still targeting the first half of 2028 for the inaugural flight, though the target has shifted from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2028. The mission will launch aboard a Vega C rocket equipped with an upgraded P160C first stage from the Guiana Space Centre, and is expected to be the booster's first flight. Thales Alenia Space and Avio are co-prime contractors, leading a consortium of more than 20 European companies.
ESA will complete its independent investigation to identify the parafoil failure's root cause and define subsequent testing steps. Two drop tests in 2026 — the May captive-ascent abort and the October parafoil detachment — have now fallen short of plan, but the agency maintains its Q2 2028 first-flight target. Portugal Space selected the island of Santa Maria as the landing site for Space Rider's inaugural flight in November 2024.