ESA readies for IXV space plane launch

The European Space Agency is to launch a robotic space plane that could pave the way towards the creation of a reusable cargo vehicle capable of surviving the blistering re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere
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1 Liftoff: IXV launched atop Vega rocket from Kourou, French Guiana

2 Separation: IXV released at altitude of 320km

3 Peak altitude: IXV continues to climb at 420km before beginning re-entry

4 Re-entry: IXV re-enters atmosphere at 7.5km/s to simulate velocity of returning orbital spacecraft

IXV (INTERMEDIATE EXPERIMENTAL VEHICLE)

Length: 5 metres

Weight: 2,000kg

Four-stage Vega rocket 30m

3 Flaps and thrusters control descent

Ceramic heatshield

Tracking stations

1 Kourou

2 4 5 6

5 Splashdown: Parachutes deployed to slow descent for safe splashdown in Pacific Ocean

6 Recovery: Four large balloons keep IXV afloat until arrival of recovery vessel

Mission duration: 100 minutes
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Sources: ESA, Italian Centre for Aerospace Research

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