Watch the interview with Marc Valès, Vice President Space Programs, presenting the Dassault Aviation space activities.
In addition to our pyrotechnical and remote measurement expertise, we have technological assets that are applicable to the fields of hypervelocity and atmospheric reentry. We implement them in the European Space Agency (ESA) Space Rider program, and in our 2040 Space Roadmap.
The Space Rider is the operational version of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) demonstrator, which flew on February 11, 2015. It can be recovered and reused up to five times. Launched by the Vega C launcher, it will remain in orbit for two to six months. It will allow us to conduct microgravity experiments, earth and space observation, and enable in-flight testing of new technologies that can then be applied to satellites. The first launch is planned for end 2021. For this ESA program, led by Thales Alenia Space-Italy, our company is heavily involved in the shape design and aero/thermodynamics.
We also offer our launching into orbit capabilities with very short lead times. This know-how allows us to design groundbreaking projects and support the future decisions of France’s and Europe’s space programs, which are now more than ever at the heart of their strategic autonomy.