ESA's launcher family and 2025 Space Rider plan

Space Rider's launch date is given as 2025, and it is described as a future reusable space laboratory. ESA designed, developed and delivered a range of rockets. Ariane 6 is Europe's newest heavy-lift rocket, and Vega-C is Europe's nimble, flexible rocket.

Ariane 6 is described as Europe's newest heavy-lift rocket. Its modular design can integrate new technologies and components. The stated capability includes any satellite or payload into any orbital path, multiple on a single trip, a wide variety of orbits and an upper stage that can reach a graveyard orbit. It is also described as cost-effective compared with Ariane 5.

Vega-C is described as Europe's nimble, flexible rocket and as a medium-lift evolution of Vega. It can carry cargo in a mix of shapes and sizes. The facts say it enhances Europe's independent capability to access space, while Vega's listed payload is Earth observation satellites.

Space Rider is identified as a future reusable space laboratory for low-Earth orbit. Its listed specifications include 2 minivans, 2 months and a guided parachute landing on a runway. The launch date is 2025, and both the launch site and landing site are given as Kourou, French Guiana.

The Future Launchers Preparatory Programme oversees research activities and studies. Europe's Spaceport has a launch site in French Guiana and was built together with CNES. ESA's Space Transportation Directorate invests in and supports European business, academia and institutions.

For readers tracking the lunar industry, the facts show independent European access to space, launch capability for payloads into many orbits and a reusable low-Earth orbit laboratory. They also show Earth-observation satellites, a spaceport in French Guiana and ESA support for European business, academia and institutions.

The facts describe Space Rider as a future reusable space laboratory. Its launch date is given as 2025, and its launch and landing sites are both listed as Kourou, French Guiana.