{"id":39395,"date":"2015-02-24T17:04:27","date_gmt":"2015-02-24T09:04:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/ixvs-pride-europes-spaceplane-homecoming-prelude-to-future-goals\/"},"modified":"2015-02-24T17:04:27","modified_gmt":"2015-02-24T09:04:27","slug":"ixvs-pride-europes-spaceplane-homecoming-prelude-to-future-goals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/ixvs-pride-europes-spaceplane-homecoming-prelude-to-future-goals\/","title":{"rendered":"IXV\u2019s Pride: Europe\u2019s spaceplane homecoming prelude to future goals"},"content":{"rendered":"

ESA\u2019s Intermediate Experimental Vehicle (IXV) is now enjoying the final leg of her mission, onboard the Nos Aries recovery ship. The vehicle \u2013 part of ESA\u2019s future spaceplane aspirations \u2013 was plucked out of the Pacific Ocean at the conclusion of her suborbital adventure this month and is now being shipped back to her home in Italy, with arrival in Genoa set for the end of March \u2013 allowing for post-mission evaluations that will take place in Turin.<\/p>\n

IXV Success:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been a long road for the little spaceplane, with the initial contracts for the mission signed back in 2007, originally targeting a 2010 launch.<\/p>\n

The IXV was designed to demonstrate Europe\u2019s advanced re-entry technologies and integrated system design capabilities, building on the Advanced Reentry Demonstrator (ARD) mission that was launched on the third flight of the Ariane 5 in October, 1998.<\/p>\n

\"2014-07-03At the center of IXV\u2019s technology demonstration goals is the ambition to build affordable reusable vehicles capable of operating modular payloads for multiple applications in various orbits \u2013 with missions concluding with a touch down on a conventional runway.<\/p>\n

Should the technology be realized into an operational vehicle, ESA claim it could foster a European capability for servicing of orbital infrastructures, conducting microgravity experiments and provide Earth science and observation missions.<\/p>\n

Importantly \u2013 especially in this fiscally challenged era \u2013 the missions would be relatively inexpensive.<\/p>\n

The key to these aspirations revolved around a successful flight of the IXV. A mission failure would have sent engineers back to the drawing board.<\/p>\n

\"2015-02-24Thankfully, the test flight was a complete success, with the spaceplane pushed uphill from Europe\u2019s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, aboard Arianespace\u2019s Vega launch vehicle.<\/p>\n

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The Vega rocket performed admirably \u2013 making it four from four for the baby of the Arianespace fleet \u2013 bidding farewell to the IXV around 17 minutes and 59 seconds after liftoff.<\/p>\n

Working from a perigee of 76 kilometres (47.2 miles, 41.0 nautical miles) and an apogee of 416 kilometres (258 miles, 225 nautical miles) at an inclination of 5.4 degrees, IXV used her Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters to control attitude as she ascended to apogee before descending towards the big test of reentry.<\/p>\n

\"2015-02-11Enduring the expected communications blackout, controllers nervously awaited acquisition of signal \u2013 showing the vehicle had survived re-entry \u2013 and confirmation the spacecraft had ejected the panel covering the parachute bay.<\/p>\n

This was followed by the all-important deployment of a pilot parachute followed by the first of two drogue chutes.<\/p>\n

All went to plan, with the first drogue separating, pulling out a subsonic drogue chute which continued to slow the vehicle, ahead of the deployment of the main parachute.<\/p>\n

IXV descended to a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, just west of the Galapagos islands, one hour and forty minutes after launch.<\/p>\n

\"2015-02-24Aided by flotation devices, the IXV awaited recovery by the Nos Aries crew.<\/p>\n

Divers in speedboats first approached the floating craft and checked for residual propellant fumes.<\/p>\n

Once the all-clear was given, the crew began the recovery \u2013 working from procedures that had already practised off the coast of Tuscany, Italy \u2013 where they retrieved a prototype from the water.<\/p>\n

Using a crane, the spaceplane was lifted on to the deck of the ship.<\/p>\n

Work on the ship has included initial inspections \u2013 showing the TPS to be in good shape \u2013 along with the cleaning of the vehicle\u2019s fuel tank.<\/p>\n

The Nos Aries is now on the long journey home to Italy and is set to arrive in Genoa towards the end of March. IXV, packed inside a container, will then travel by road to Turin for inspection and further analysis.<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n