Tag: Vega

  • Vega rocket launches IXV spaceplane – Mission Complete

    Vega rocket launches IXV spaceplane – Mission Complete

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    The European Space Agency is flying a reentry demonstration mission Wednesday with its Intermediate Experimental Vehicle (IXV). Boosted by Europe’s lightweight Vega rocket, the IXV flew a suborbital mission culminating in landing and recovery in the Pacific Ocean after around 102 minutes of flight. Liftoff is occurred at 13:40 UTC from Kourou, French Guiana. VEGA…

  • ESA re-entry vehicle could pave way for reusable launcher

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    Artist’s concept of the Intermediate Experimental Vehicle. Credit: ESA European engineers are eager to test an experimental re-entry demonstrator Wednesday to validate technologies for future robotic exploration probes, winged space planes, and reusable rocket boosters. The European Space Agency’s Intermediate Experimental Vehicle — about the size of a family car — will take off at…

  • Live coverage: European mini-shuttle back on Earth

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    Live coverage of the countdown and launch of a Vega rocket with the European Space Agency’s Intermediate Experimental Vehicle. Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter.

  • Photos: ESA re-entry testbed prepared for liftoff

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    Engineers have put the finishing touches on a prototype spaceship representing a leap in European space technology, aiming for liftoff Feb. 11 for a flight 260 miles into space and back to Earth for a pinpoint splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. The Intermediate Experimental Vehicle will blast off aboard a lightweight European Vega launcher from…

  • Europe’s re-entry demonstrator mated to Vega rocket

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    .@esa #ixv and #vega finally together for the last preparation phase! #VV04 #100minutemission pic.twitter.com/QMHTViKThh — ESA IXV (@esa_ixv) January 31, 2015 Launch crews in French Guiana have mounted an innovative European space plane on top of a solid-fueled Vega launcher for a Feb. 11 suborbital test flight. The European Space Agency’s Intermediate Experimental Vehicle was…

  • Europe’s spaceplane on a trajectory for February launch

    Europe’s spaceplane on a trajectory for February launch

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    ESA’s Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) spaceplane is finally into its final processing flow towards launch, following the loading of propellants and work to encapsulate the vehicle inside its payload fairing. The launch – atop a Vega rocket – is set for February 11, following a decision to alter the launch trajectory due to safety concerns. IVX Ready:…

  • Launch campaign resumes for ESA space plane

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    The European Space Agency’s Intermediate Experimental Vehicle inside a clean room at the Guiana Space Center. Credit: ESA/CNES/Arianespace – Photo Optique Video du CSG – P. Baudon Engineers are resuming preparations to launch an experimental European re-entry test vehicle on a Vega rocket Feb. 11 after a two-month delay ordered by safety authorities to analyze…

  • ESA’s experimental space plane gearing up for November debut

    ESA’s experimental space plane gearing up for November debut

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    The European Space Agency (ESA) Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) is enjoying a stay in Holland ahead of being shipped to Kourou, French Guiana to meet up with her Vega launch vehicle. The IXV space plane is in the Netherlands for a “shaking”, simulating the vibrations and stresses she can expect to endure atop of Vega during the…

  • ESA and CNES fire up POD-X to investigate solid motor oscillations

    ESA and CNES fire up POD-X to investigate solid motor oscillations

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    ESA’s Future Launchers Preparatory Program and France’s CNES space agency have test fired the Pressure Oscillation Demonstrator eXperimental (POD-X) motor at the French military procurement agency test site. The test relates to providing information on pressure oscillations in solid motors, an issue that was highlighted during the development of the since-defunt Ares launch vehicle. Solid Motors and Oscillations:…

  • Arianespace’s Vega launches with Proba-V

    Arianespace’s Vega launches with Proba-V

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    Arianespace launched their Vega rocket on Monday, following last week’s scrub due to range weather. Vega’s second flight is carrying the primary payload, Proba-V, with the VNREDSat-1A and ESTCube-1 satellites also set to ride uphill.   Vega Launch: The opening attempt was aiming for a 02:06 GMT launch from pad ELA-1 at the European spaceport in Kourou,…