Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe

The European Space Agency has a program called Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP), which made a call for submissions for a reusable spaceplane. One of the submissions was by the Italian Space Agency, that presented their 'Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe' (PRIDE program) which went ahead to develop the prototype named Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) and the consequential Space Rider spaceplane that inherits technology from its prototype IXV. The PRIDE programme was initially funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) on 21 November 2012, at the ESA Ministerial Council in Naples, Italy. The project was created with the objective of creating a small uncrewed spaceplane that was also affordable and reusable. During the initial design stage the vehicle was referred to as PRIDE-ISV; the suffix ISV stands for Innovative Space Vehicle. The PRIDE development team began industrial activities in September 2015. The first launch of the Space Rider production spaceplane is expected around 2028. ==Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle==

The Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) was developed to serve as a prototype spaceplane to validate ESA's preliminary work. It was launched on 11 February 2015 and flown to altitude. It was then brought down under a parasail for a splashdown on the Pacific Ocean. == Space Rider ==

With affordability in mind, the Space Rider spaceplane is based on technologies developed and tested on the IXV. The Space Rider spaceplane will be capable of carrying a 300 kg payload into orbit. It will be equipped with solar panels, allowing for two months in-orbit operations. Vega will be used as a launch vehicle. The Space Rider will be used as an orbital test platform for re-usable launcher stages, Earth observation, robotic exploration, servicing of orbital infrastructures, and microgravity experiments. == See also ==