ESA loses Space Rider test model in failed drop test

Europe's reusable mini-spaceplane has hit another bump. A full-scale drop test of Space Rider, ESA's uncrewed spacecraft that is meant to fly to orbit and then land back on Earth, ended with the loss of the test model after its parafoil failed to deploy as expected, European Spaceflight reports.

What happened

The test took place earlier this month as part of Space Rider's final system-level drop-test campaign. An anomaly occurred while the large parafoil, the steerable wing-shaped parachute that should glide the vehicle to its landing zone, was deploying.

"The test model was lost as a result of the anomaly," an ESA spokesperson told the outlet. "An independent investigation is ongoing to determine its root cause and inform the next steps."

This was not a simple dummy. Earlier tests in 2024 and 2025 used mass simulators, basically weighted pallets, to check the parachutes and the autonomous landing software. This campaign used a full-scale model with Space Rider's real mass, aerodynamic shape and landing gear, so that ESA could confirm how the full vehicle would land.

Second setback this year

It is the second interruption to the campaign in 2026. In May, an attempt was aborted during the captive ascent, when a CH-47 Chinook helicopter was still carrying the model to altitude. That model was recovered safely, but ESA said testing could not resume before October, mainly because the test range wasn't available.

ESA has not said whether it needs a replacement test model or when a new attempt might happen. It still expects the first flight in 2028, although the target has moved from the first to the second quarter.

Why the parafoil matters

Space Rider is about the size of two minivans. It is designed to stay in orbit for up to three months with experiments on board, from pharmaceutical research to in-orbit manufacturing, and then come home. After reentry at more than six times the speed of sound, a drogue parachute and a pilot chute slow it down and pull out the parafoil at about 5 km altitude. The parafoil then steers it to a gentle landing on skids. If that last step can't be trusted, the payloads can't come home intact.

ESA's Lunar Link relay test shows the agency's other hardware moving on schedule, and Japan's MMX probe is now on its way to Phobos. To watch launches and spacecraft from your back yard, see our beginner telescope guide.