BioRider

BioRider is a modular platform offering sustainable, affordable, flexible and reliable experimentation capabilities, enabling remote, in-situ biological research in space without the burden, complexity, or safety risks of human-attended operations. The facility is designed to operate aboard ESA’s Space Rider free-flyer vehicle and includes the recovery of biological samples exposed to microgravity. BioRider opens new opportunities for public and private researchers by streamlining access to microgravity, decoupling it from the need for crewed missions.

BioRider is a modular, standard, scalable, multi-user and re-usable facility that represents the perfect platform to perform life science experiments under microgravity conditions on board the Space Rider. It is:

• Modular: BioRider is composed by building blocks in the form of the “BioRider Module”. Combining a certain number of BioRider Modules, different configurations with different envelopes can be achieved, thus allowing optimal use of the SR resources (volume and mass).
• Standard: Individual experiments are accommodated inside the KIC container, derived from a proven standard container with a long heritage in experiments in the ISS Kubik facility.
• Scalable: BioRider can comprise as many BioRider Modules as can be accommodated inside the SR Virtual Lockers (i.e. from 1 to 5 BioRider Modules).
• Re-usable: BioRider can host many different types of experiments, therefore it can be re-used in each SR flight. To this aim, all that is required is to accommodate in the KIC containers the experiment hardware necessary to implement the new experiments.
• Versatile: BioRider supports a range of experiment types including passive, active, and time-sensitive biological studies, and can incorporate environmental control features such as temperature regulation or custom lighting, depending on the payload needs.

Objectives and Mission

Leveraging on the extensive experience of Kayser in the delivery of life science payloads in microgravity, BioRider is mainly dedicated to advancing biology and biotechnology R&D. It provides direct, simplified access to microgravity for both public and private researchers, avoiding complex and time-consuming bidding procedures. BioRider will fill the void left by the retirement of the ISS and its incubators, with the timely provision of flight opportunities starting as early as 2027 and not requiring the launch and commissioning of the new commercial space stations currently in the development phase.

Significant Achievements

Platform Design:

1. Facility Preliminary Design Review (PDR) completed;
2. Critical Design Review (CDR) in preparation (completion expected end of 2025);
3. Engineering models manufactured.

First Flight Booked: BioRider will fly aboard the maiden mission of ESA’s Space Rider in Q3 2027.

First Experiments Confirmed: The inaugural mission will host three experiments in distinct biological disciplines: astrobiology, developmental/cell biology, and nutrition/pharmacology.

Get in Touch

For more information, reach out to Gianluca Neri, Programme Manager, Kayser Space Ltd. Email: info.biorider@kayser.it

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