Flight VV04 – IXV | Vega Launch | Arianespace

First launch of the year from the Guiana Space Center, a mission for the European space industry

Vega, the latest member of the family of launchers operated by Arianespace, has successfully launched the IXV (Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle) atmospheric reentry demonstrator. The fourth Vega launch took place on February 11 at 10:40 am (local time) from the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana. Developed by the European Space Agency, the IXV marks the latest step by Europe in the development of atmospheric reentry technologies, a key to manned flights.

IXV on Vega: a launch to support the development of atmospheric reentry technologies

The IXV experimental spacecraft was developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) to test the technologies needed to return spacecraft to Earth. These technologies are essential not only for future reusable launchers, but also for the return to Earth of samples or astronauts after voyaging in space.

The IXV program supports the development of an autonomous, guided European atmospheric reentry system, as well as validating in flight its aerodynamic performance and overall design, especially its thermal protection system.

IXV was designed and built by Thales Alenia Space Italy in Turin. The Vega light launcher used for this mission is built by the prime contractor ELV, a company jointly owned by Avio (70%) and the Italian space agency ASI (30%). In other words, this mission is a two-pronged success for the Italian space industry, spotlighting its technological excellence and overall expertise in space transport.

The orbital parameters confirmed by ESA and Arianespace are perfectly conformed as predicted.

► Subscribe to our channel to keep on touch on our futur contents: https://www.youtube.com/c/arianespace/featured

► Arianespace is the world’s leading satellite launch company. Founded in 1980, it deploys a family of three launchers – Ariane, Soyuz and Vega – to meet the needs of commercial and government customers.

► Follow this link to discover the world of Arianespace:
https://www.arianespace.com

► Find us also on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArianeGroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arianespace/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/arianespace
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arianespace_2/

Видео Flight VV04 – IXV | Vega Launch | Arianespace канала arianespace