Thales Alenia Space IXV (Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle)

[Matej]

On September the 15th, Dassault Aviation received IXV partners (Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle), experimental reentry vehicle from European Space Agency. The IXV is a demonstrator which first flight is scheduled for 2013. It will make a return from orbit controlled from 400 km altitude.

The IXV is meant to validate the following technologies:

* Advanced instrumentation for aerodynamics and aero-thermodynamics;
* Thermal and structural hot:
* CNG engines attitude control and aerodynamic components (flight control).


Dassault Aviation is committed in the following fields: aerodynamics, aero-thermodynamics and experimental flight.

With ESA and prime contractor Thales Alenia Space, Dassault Aviation hosted dozens of European partners in Saint Cloud. This meeting, the IXV Day, helped ESA and industry to see progress of the project and discuss its prospects. Moreover, several aspects of future vehicle were exposed in the lobby of the auditorium by the IXV project partners.

http://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/aviation/news/headlines/ixv-project-honored-by-dassault-aviation.html?L=1&cHash=8328870e9f

Project info: http://www.esa.int/esapub/bulletin/bulletin128/bul128h_tumino.pdf

 

[sallows01]

ESA; Space in images

The moment when ESA’s IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle is removed from its protective container, safely inside the cleanroom environment of the Agency’s Technical Centre.
IXV’s sleek lifting body hull gives a clue to its purpose: this November it will be launched 320 km into space on top of a Vega rocket, climbing up to 420 km before beginning a long glide back through the atmosphere.
In the process, IXV will gather data on reentry conditions to help guide the design of future spaceplanes.
IXV arrived at ESTEC in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, last week.
The spaceplane will now undergo a rigorous test campaign to confirm it is ready for flight. ESA’s centre is the largest satellite testing facility in Europe, with everything needed to recreate every aspect of the launch and space environment under one air-conditioned roof.

 

[Grey Havoc]

ORIGINAL CAPTION: The IXV demonstrator features advanced aerodynamics with its lifting body design, which maximizes maneuverability.
http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Arianespaces_lightweight_Vega_launcher_is_readied_for_its_mission_with_the_European_IXV_spaceplane_999.html​

 

[Grey Havoc]

Original Caption: The IXV is an Italian-led project within Esa. The vehicle is 5m long and and weighs almost two tonnes

Europe's IXV mini 'spaceplane' set to fly (BBC News)​

 

[Grey Havoc]

Europe's mini 'spaceplane' launches (BBC News)
​

 

[Grey Havoc]

http://news.yahoo.com/europe-set-launch-space-plane-prototype-104552925.html

 

[archipeppe]

Hi folks, here it is my contribution to the topic.

 

[XP67_Moonbat]

Like!

 

[Michel Van]

You tube


About the mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPks77igQ0I

Hardware testing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IojqhtUwz50

launch preparation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8DKyeKS8xo

Launch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqggvBGLPPw

 

[muttbutt]

Let's hope we seize this opportunity and start work on PRIDE.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Like!

I second that!

Also, thanks for the videos Michel.