Space Rider prototype crashes during parafoil drop test

On Oct. 6 a full-scale Space Rider mockup was dropped from a helicopter over Sardinia; its main parafoil detached during deployment and the vehicle crashed. ESA says an independent investigation is underway but the incident is not on the critical path of development.

• The mockup was released from about 3 km altitude; the drogue chute worked
• The parafoil detached during deployment, sending the vehicle into freefall
• All components were recovered; an independent probe is ongoing
• Space Rider's first orbital mission is targeted for later this decade