ESA's Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle

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In 2012, Vega will carry ESA's Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle into space. The vehicle will then return to Earth to test a range of enabling systems and technologies for atmospheric re-entry. The video shows computer-generated animations of the vehicle and its mission.

The IXV project objectives are the design, development, manufacturing, and on-ground and in-flight verification of an autonomous European lifting and aerodynamically controlled re-entry system. Among the critical technologies of interest, special attention is being paid to: *advanced instrumentation for aerodynamics and aerothermodynamics *thermal protection and hot-structures solutions *guidance, navigation and flight control through a combination of jets and aerodynamic flaps

IXV will be launched in 2012 from Europe's spaceport at Kourou, French Guiana, using the new Vega small launch vehicle. After re-entering the Earth's atmosphere and being slowed down by air drag, IXV will descend by parachute and land in the Pacific Ocean to await recovery and post-flight analysis.

Video credit: ESA

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ESA
• Intermediate
• eXperimental
• Vehicle
• IXV

[Harashawful]

Go forth into the universe, humble slipper.

[3notrub]

SPACE, THE FINAL FRONTIER!

THESE ARE THE VORAGES OF THE STARSHIP IXV

WHICH LOOKS LIKE A PORTABLE CAR VACUMN CLEANER.