European Space Agency launches mini-spaceplane
FEB 11, 2015
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.028635
BBC : Earlier today, the European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Intermediate Experimental Vehicle (IXV) atop a Vega rocket from French Guiana. The IXV will reach an altitude of 450 km before descending. The primary mission is a test of re-entry control systems on the wedge-shaped vehicle. The ESA has limited experience with returning vehicles to Earth and hopes to incorporate the knowledge gained from the launch into future craft.
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