Space Rider is a reusable unmanned orbital laboratory project being developed jointly by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Thales Alenia Space. This space vehicle, which is similar in size to two minivans, is designed to carry out missions lasting up to three months in low Earth orbit. It will be used for a wide range of missions, including pharmaceutical research, in-orbit manufacturing and inspection of orbital platforms. 

One of Space Rider's major challenges is the atmospheric re-entry and landing phase, requiring a sophisticated descent system. The capsule has to withstand speeds in excess of six times the speed of sound and temperatures that can top 1600°C. A chain of parachutes is deployed in succession to slow and guide the descent: 

• - A circular braking parachute opens at the speed of sound to initiate deceleration 

• - A pilot parachute then deploys a large parafoil 27 metres long and 10 metres wide. This parafoil ensures the final phase of controlled descent to a precise landing site. 

Teseo's teams are in charge of designing and building the monitoring and control system that pilots this parachute deployment sequence. This system uses advanced algorithms to automatically manage the critical phases, guaranteeing a safe and accurate landing. It is the first automated parafoil management system to be developed in Europe, eliminating the need to import parafoil from the USA. It represents a strategic step forward, and could eventually be used for other space applications, once the experiments are completed and the solution qualified for use with Space Rider. 

Several testing campaigns took place at Salto di Quirra military site in Sardinia, with full-scale models dropped from a helicopter at altitudes of up to 3.5 km. These tests validated the complete parachute chain and guidance algorithms, with controlled descent speeds of around 12 km/h under the glider, and landing accuracy of about 150 metres. 

Cooperation between Teseo, Thales Alenia Space and other European industrial partners is part of a joint effort, with support from the Italian armed forces for logistics and flight operations. 

The next stages of the programme involve the system's final qualification, with testing of a complete model fitted with real landing pads. The aim is to validate the capsule's robustness and reliability under extreme conditions, so as to ensure the protection of payloads during successive returns to orbit. 

Thanks to this contribution, driven by Teseo's teams, the company is taking an active part in the development of a European reusable space vehicle, thereby strengthening the continent's industrial and technological capabilities in the space sector. 
 
(c) ESA/Thales Alenia Space