Italian-based space transportation company SAB Launch Services is studying ways that its IOSHEX orbital vehicle could work in concert with the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Space Rider vehicle.
Space Rider is an ESA-led project to develop a small uncrewed spaceplane that will enable the launch, in-orbit testing/manufacture, and return of client payloads. Development of the vehicle is being led by Thales Alenia Space and Avio.
IOSHEX is a multipurpose orbital vehicle being developed by SAB Launch Services. The vehicle leans on the architecture developed by the company for the Vega Small Spacecraft Mission Service rideshare payload adaptor. The idea is to enable the adaptor to conduct secondary missions after deploying its payloads.
According to SAB, an IOSHEX-Space Rider interoperability demonstration mission concept is currently being pursued as part of ESA’s Future Launchers Preparatory Programme.
Once in Orbit, IOSHEX would dock with Space Rider vehicles and utilize robotic arms to access the vehicle’s cargo bay. Potential applications for the interoperability of the two vehicles include the exchange of payloads to and from the Space Rider cargo bay, and the return of experiments or materials resulting from IOSHEX operations.
Currently, there are no timelines for the proposed interoperability mission. The first IOSHEX mission is expected no earlier than 2025 and will focus on orbital debris removal.
As for Space Rider, the vehicle’s development recently proceeded to Phase D allowing for qualification and production to commence. Previous launch dates targeted a maiden flight in late 2024, but that has likely slipped into the beginning of 2025 at the earliest.
