The proposal was announced at the 2022 International Astronautical Congress in Paris[2][3] and was created with research-funding from ESA's "New European Space Transportation Solutions" (NESTS) initiative[4] – in response to the strategic priority to ensure it has "autonomous logistics capabilities".[5] Intended to replace the payload fairing the total mass would be 25 tons, "...corresponding to Ariane 64’s low Earth orbit (LEO) performance."[6] and capable of carrying 5 astronauts or, in automated cargo configuration, up to 7 tons of payload.[7] It would propulsively land (rather than under parachutes), meaning the mission abort safety system would remain effective at all stages of a crewed mission, not just at launch.[7] SUSIE could later be used in conjunction with a proposed ArianeGroup reusable heavy-lift launcher. [1]
Especially due to the “bellyflop maneuver” on atmospheric re-entry, comparisons are made with SpaceX Starship, whereas it is more directly comparable to SpaceX Dragon and Boeing Starliner,[8] Commentator Scott Manley compared the proposal to the previously canceled Hermes spaceplane, "...but larger and ditching the wings for propulsive landing. It also resembles a large version of the uncrewedSpace Rider which is potentially launching on Vega-C next year."[9]
Scale model of SUSIE on an Ariane 64, and comparison to other current crew vehicles
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