View source for Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle

{{short description|Re-entry vehicle prototype by ESA for the development of the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle}}
{{redirect|IXV|the IATA code|Along Airport}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
<!--| flight_number          = [[VV04]]-->
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name                  = Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle
| names_list            = <!--list of previous names if the spacecraft has been renamed-->

<!--image of the spacecraft/mission-->
| image                 = Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle.jpg
| image_caption         = Artist's view of IXV reentry phase

| mission_type          = [[technology demonstration]]
| operator              = [[ESA]]
| website               = {{URL|http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/IXV/Reentry_technologies |ESA Reentry technologies}}
| mission_duration      = <!--How long the mission lasted-->
| distance_travelled    = <!--How far the spacecraft travelled (if known)-->
| orbits_completed      = <!--number of times the spacecraft orbited the Earth - see below for spacecraft beyond Earth orbit-->
| suborbital_apogee     = {{convert|412|km|mi|abbr=on}}

<!--Spacecraft properties-->

| spacecraft_type       = [[lifting body]]
| manufacturer          = [[Thales Alenia Space]]
| launch_mass           = {{convert|1800|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| BOL_mass              = <!--spacecraft mass in orbit at beginning of operational life, after LEOP phase-->
| landing_mass          = <!--Mass after landing (recovered spacecraft only)-->
| dry_mass              = <!--spacecraft mass in orbit without fuel-->
| payload_mass          = <!--Mass of cargo carried by spacecraft (eg. for Space Shuttle), or total mass of instrumentation/equipment/experiments for mission-->
| dimensions            = <!--body dimensions and solar array span-->
| power                 = <!--end-of-life power, in watts-->

<!--Launch details-->
| launch_date           = {{start date|df=yes|2015|02|11|13|40|7=Z}}<ref name="launch11feb">{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/european-space-plane-set-for-february-launch/story-fnjwlcze-1227131406498 |title=European space plane set for February launch |work=[[News.com.au]] |publisher=[[News Corp Australia]] |date=22 November 2014 |access-date=26 November 2014 |archive-date=14 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914190815/http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/european-space-plane-set-for-february-launch/story-fnjwlcze-1227131406498 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="spacedaily.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/European_space_plane_set_for_February_launch_firm_999.html |title=European space plane set for February launch: firm |date=21 November 2014}}</ref><ref name="spaceflightnow.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html |title=Worldwide launch schedule |date=18 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530232910/http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html |archive-date=30 May 2010  }}</ref>
| launch_rocket         = [[Vega (rocket)|Vega]]
| launch_site           = [[Guiana Space Centre]] [[ELA-1|ELV]]
| launch_contractor     = <!--organisation(s) that conducted the launch (eg. United Launch Alliance, Arianespace, etc)-->

<!--end of mission-->
| landing_date          = {{end date|df=yes|2015|02|11}}
| landing_site          = [[Pacific Ocean]]

<!--Only use where a spacecraft/mission is part of a clear programme of sequential missions.
If in doubt, leave it out-->
| programme             = [[Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe]] (PRIDE program)
| previous_mission      =
| next_mission          =
}}

The '''Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle''' ('''IXV''') is a [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) experimental [[Sub-orbital spaceflight|suborbital]] [[re-entry]] vehicle. It was developed to serve as a prototype [[lifting body]] orbital return vehicle to validate the ESA's work in the field of reusable orbital return vehicles.

The European Space Agency has a program called [[Future Launchers Preparatory Programme]] (FLPP), which made a call for submissions for a reusable [[spaceplane]].<ref>{{cite web | title = New milestone in IXV development | date = 15 September 2010 | url = http://www.esa.int/esaMI/Launchers_Home/SEMOU1KOXDG_0.html | publisher  = [[European Space Agency|ESA]] | quote = The Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV), under ESA’s [[Future Launchers Preparatory Programme]] (FLPP), is the step forward from the successful [[Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator]] flight in 1998, establishing Europe’s role in this field.}}</ref><ref>[https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Transportation/New_milestone_in_IXV_development New milestone in IXV development]. ESA. 15 September 2010.</ref> One of the submissions was by the Italian Space Agency, that presented their own [[Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe]] (PRIDE program) which went ahead to develop an initial test vehicle, '''Pre-X''', followed the prototype named Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) and the consequential [[Space Rider]] that inherits technology from its prototype IXV.<ref name='Space Rider PRIDE'>[https://www.cira.it/en/space/accesso-allo-spazio-satelliti-ed-esplorazione/pride/Space%20Rider%20PRIDE Space Rider PRIDE]. [[Italian Aerospace Research Centre]]. Accessed: 15 November 2018.</ref>

On 11 February 2015, the IXV conducted its first 100-minute suborbital space flight, successfully completing its mission upon landing intact on the surface of the [[Pacific Ocean]].<ref>{{cite web | title = IXV Mission Timeline | date = 9 February 2015 | url = http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/IXV_mission_timeline | publisher  = [[European Space Agency|ESA]] | quote = It will navigate through the atmosphere within its reentry corridor before descending, slowed by a multistage parachute, for a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean some 100 minutes after liftoff.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = ESA experimental spaceplane completes research flight | date = 11 February 2015 | url = http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/IXV/ESA_experimental_spaceplane_completes_research_flight | publisher  = ESA | quote = ESA’s Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle flew a flawless reentry and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean just west of the Galapagos islands.}}</ref> The vehicle is the first ever [[lifting body]] to perform full atmospheric reentry from orbital speed.<ref name="ESABulletin161">{{cite journal |url=http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/ESABulletin161/ |title=ESA Bulletin 161 (1st quarter 2015) |journal=Esro / Bulletin Cers/Cecles |issn=0376-4265 |publisher=ESA |date=2015}}</ref>{{rp|23}} Past missions have flight tested either winged bodies, which are highly controllable but also very complex and costly, or capsules, which are difficult to control but offer less complexity and lower cost.<ref>{{cite web |title=Frequently asked questions on IXV |url=https://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Space_Transportation/IXV/Frequently_asked_questions_on_IXV |publisher=ESA |access-date=28 November 2018}}</ref>

== Development ==
=== Background ===
During the 1980s and 1990s, there was significant international interest in the development of [[Reusable launch system|reusable launch platforms]] and [[Spacecraft#Spaceplanes|reusable spacecraft]], particularly in respect to [[spaceplane]]s, perhaps the most high-profile examples of these being the American [[Space Shuttle]] and [[Soviet]] [[Buran (spacecraft)|Buran]] programmes. The national space agencies of European nations, such as France's [[CNES|Centre National d'Études Spatiales]] (CNES) and Germany's [[German Aerospace Center]] (DLR), worked on their own designs during this era, the most prominent of these to emerge being the [[Hermes (spacecraft)|Hermes]] spaceplane. Development of the Hermes programme, which was backed by the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) for several years, was ultimately terminated in 1992 prior to any flights being performed in favour of a partnership arrangement with the [[Roscosmos|Russian Aviation and Space Agency]] (RKA) to use the existing [[Soyuz (spacecraft)|Soyuz spacecraft]] instead.

While work on the development of the Hermes vehicle was cancelled during the early 1990s, the ESA maintained its strategic long-term objective to indigenously develop and eventually deploy similar reusable space vehicles. Accordingly, in support of this goal, the ESA embarked upon a series of design studies on different experimental vehicle concepts as well as to refine and improve technologies deemed critical to future reentry vehicles.<ref name = "tum yves 2006">Tumino, Giorgio and Yves Gerard. [https://www.esa.int/esapub/bulletin/bulletin128/bul128h_tumino.pdf "ESA Bulletin 128 - IXV: the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle."] ''ESA'', November 2006.</ref> In order to test and further develop the technologies and concepts produced by these studies, there were clear needs to accumulate practical flight experience with reentry systems, as well as to maintain and expand upon international cooperation in the fields of space transportation, exploration, and science. Out of these desires emerged the [[Future Launchers Preparatory Programme]] (FLPP), an ESA-headed initiative conceived and championed by a number of its member states, which provided a framework for addressing the challenges and development of the technology associated with reentry vehicles.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/>

It was recognised that, in order for significant progress to be made, FLPP would require the production and testing of a prototype reentry vehicle that drew on their existing research, technologies, and designs.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> By adopting a step-by-step approach using a series of test vehicles prior to the development of a wider series of production vehicles, this approach was seen to reduce the risk and to allow for the integration of progressively more sophisticated developments from the early relatively-low-cost missions.

In line with this determination, during early 2005, the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) project was formally initiated by the [[Italian Space Agency]] and the [[Italian Aerospace Research Centre]] under an Italian programme named PRIDE ([[Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe]])<ref name='Space Rider PRIDE'/> Their main industrial contractor was Next Generation Launcher Prime SpA (NGLP) in Italy.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> The latter organisation is a [[joint venture]] entity comprising two major European aerospace companies, [[Astrium]] and [[Finmeccanica]]. The PRIDE programme had the support of various national space agencies, including the [[European Space Research and Technology Centre]], [[Italian Space Agency]] (ASI), French space agency [[CNES]], and Germany's [[German Aerospace Center|DLR]]; by November 2006, the IXV was supported by 11 Member States: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> Of these, Italy emerged as the principal financial backer of the IXV programme.<ref name = "clark spacenow"/>

=== Selection and pre-launch testing ===
[[File:Sentinel-2 and vega.jpg|thumb|Vega rocket]]
The IXV project benefitted from and harnessed much of the research data and operational principles from many of the previously conducted studies, especially from the successful [[Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator]] (ARD), which was test-flown during 1998. Early on, during the mission definition and design maturity stages of the project, thorough comparisons were conducted again between existing ESA and national concepts against shared criteria, aimed at evaluating the experiment requirements (technology and systems), programme requirements (technology readiness, development schedule and cost) and risk mitigation (feasibility, maturity, robustness, and growth potential).<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> The selected baseline design, a slender lifting body configuration, drew primarily upon the CNES-led ''Pre-X'' the ESA's ARD vehicles. Development work quickly proceeded through the preliminary design definition phase, reaching a system requirements review by mid-2007.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/>

On 18 December 2009, the ESA announced the signing of a contract with [[Thales Alenia Space]], valued at {{currency|39.4 million|EUR}}, to cover 18 months of preliminary IXV work.<ref name="Coppinger">{{cite web | title = ESA Spending Freeze Ends with Deals for Sentinel Satellites, Ariane 5 Upgrade | first = Peter B. | last = de Selding | date = 18 December 2009 | url = http://www.spacenews.com/civil/2009-12-18esa-signs-new-contracts-worth-over-500-million-euros.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130202190528/http://www.spacenews.com/civil/2009-12-18esa-signs-new-contracts-worth-over-500-million-euros.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2 February 2013 | publisher  = Space News | quote = The contract is valued at 39.4 million euros to cover preliminary IXV work for 18 months, Fabrizi said.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = ESA and Thales Alenia Space establish agreement for development of Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) | date = 19 June 2009 | url = http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM52E3XTVF_index_0.html | publisher = ESA}}</ref> In 2011, the total estimated cost for the IXV project was reportedly {{currency|150 million|EUR}}.<ref name="ixv-ebook">{{cite web | title = IXV e-book | date = 2011 | publisher = ESA | url = http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/ixv/offline.zip | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120404142916/http://esamultimedia.esa.int/multimedia/publications/ixv/offline.zip | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-04-04 |format= [[ZIP (file format)|ZIP file]] }}</ref>

During late 2012, the IXV's subsonic parachute system was tested at the [[Yuma Proving Ground]] in [[Arizona]], United States.<ref>[http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/ESA_s_IXV_reentry_vehicle_prepares_for_soft_landing2 "ESA's IXV Reentry Vehicle Prepares for Soft Landing"]. ESA, 9 November 2012.</ref> Shortly thereafter, a series of water impact tests were conducted at [[Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche]]'s INSEAN research tank near Rome, Italy.<ref name="INSEAN">{{cite web |url=http://www.insean.cnr.it/en/content/water-impact-and-hydrodynamic-loads |title=Water impact and hydrodynamic loads |first=A. |last=Iafrati |publisher=[[Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche]] |access-date=22 March 2014 |archive-date=27 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827000958/http://www.insean.cnr.it/en/content/water-impact-and-hydrodynamic-loads |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 21 June 2013, an IXV test vehicle was dropped from an altitude of {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on}} in the [[Salto di Quirra]] range off [[Sardinia]], Italy. The purpose of this test-drop was to validate the vehicle's water-landing system, including the subsonic parachute, flotation balloons, and beacon deployment. A small anomaly was encountered during the inflation of the balloons; however, all of the other systems performed as expected. Following the drop-test, the vehicle was retrieved for further analysis.<ref>[http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/Safe_splashdown_for_Intermediate_eXperimental_Vehicle "Safe splashdown for IXV"]. ESA, 21 June 2013.</ref> On 23 June 2014, the recovery ship ''Nos Aries'' conducted a training exercise involving a single IXV test article off the coast of [[Tuscany]].<ref>{{cite web | title = Bringing back our Spaceplane | date = 24 June 2014 | url = http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/Bringing_back_our_spaceplane | publisher = ESA | quote = Yesterday, the ship and crew aiming to recover Europe’s unmanned IXV spacecraft in November had a practice run off the coast of Tuscany, Italy.}}</ref>

During June 2014, the IXV test vehicle arrived at the [[ESTEC]] Technical Centre in [[Noordwijk]], The Netherlands, to undergo a test campaign to confirm its flight readiness in anticipation of a flight on a [[Vega (rocket)|Vega rocket]], which was by that point scheduled to occur during November of that year.<ref>{{cite web | title = Unboxing IXV | date = 2 July 2014 | url = http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2014/07/Unboxing_IXV | publisher = ESA | quote = 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.}}</ref>

== Design ==
[[File:IXV drop-test model front.jpg|thumb|left|300px|frontal view of the vehicle]]
The Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) is a prototype uncrewed reusable [[spaceplane]] —and the precursor of the next model called [[Space Rider]]. According to the ESA, the ''Intermediate'' part of its name is due to the shape of the vehicle not necessarily being representative of the envisioned follow-on production spacecraft.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> It possesses a [[lifting body]] arrangement which lacks wings of any sort, resulting in a lift to drag ratio (L/D) of 0.7 during the reentry. The size and shape is balanced between the need to maximise internal volume to accommodate experimental payloads while keeping within the mass limits of the [[Vega (rocket)|Vega]] launcher and favourable [[Center of mass#Center of gravity|centre of gravity]]. The vehicle purposefully includes several key technologies of interest to the ESA, including its [[thermal protection]] system and the presence of active aerodynamic control surfaces.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> Control and manoeuvrability of the IXV is provided by a combination of these aerodynamic surfaces (comprising a pair of movable [[flap (aircraft)|flaps]]) and thrusters throughout its full flight regime, which includes flying at [[hypersonic]] speeds.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/>

A key role for the IXV is the gaining of data and experience in aerodynamically controlled reentry, which has been claimed by the ESA to represent significant advances on earlier [[Ballistics|ballistic]] and quasi-ballistic techniques previously employed.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> Throughout each mission, representative reentry performance data is recorded in order to investigate aerothermodynamic phenomena and to validate system design tools and ground verification methods, which in turn supports future design efforts.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> Reentry is accomplished in a nose-high attitude, similar to the [[NASA]]-operated [[Space Shuttle]]; during this phase of flight, manoeuvring of the spaceplane is accomplished by rolling out-of-plane and then lifting in that direction, akin to a conventional aircraft.<ref name = "clark spacenow"/> Landing is accomplished by an arrangement of [[parachute]]s, which are ejected during the descent through the top of the vehicle; additionally, seconds prior to landing, a series of [[airbag]]s are inflated to soften the landing.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/>

Another key ESA objective for the IXV was the verification of both its structure and its advanced thermal protection measures, specifically their performance during the challenging conditions present during reentry.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> The underside is covered by [[ceramic]] thermal protection panels composed of a blend of [[carbon fiber]] and [[silicon carbide]] directly fixed to the spaceplane's structure, while ablative materials comprising a [[Cork (material)|cork]] and [[silicone]]-based [[composite material|composite]] material coat the vehicle's upper surfaces.<ref name = "clark spacenow"/><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cioeta |first=Mario |last2=Di Vita |first2=Gandolfo |last3=Signorelli Maria |first3=Teresa |last4=Bianco |first4=Gianluca |last5=Cutroni |first5=Maurizio |last6=Damiani |first6=Francesco |last7=Ferretti |first7=Viviana |last8=Rotondo |first8=Adriano |date=July 2016 |title=Design, qualification, manufacturing and integration of IXV Ablative Thermal Protection System |journal=Acta Astronautica |series=Intermediate Experimental Vehicle (IXV) – Special Publications from the 6th EUCASS |volume=124 |pages=90–101 |doi=10.1016/j.actaastro.2015.12.026 |issn=0094-5765}}</ref> The [[airframe]] was based on a traditional hot-structure/cold-structure arrangement, relying upon a combination of advanced ceramic and metallic assemblies, insulating materials, as well as the effective design of assorted attachments, junctions and seals; the role played by advanced navigation and control techniques was also deemed to be of high importance.

The IXV is supported on-orbit by a separate manoeuvring and support module, which is largely similar to the Resource Module that had been intended for use by the cancelled [[Hermes (shuttle)|Hermes]] shuttle. The [[avionics]] of the IXV are controlled by a [[LEON2-FT]] microprocessor and are interconnected by a [[MIL-STD-1553B]] serial bus.<ref name=SCOE-2012>{{cite conference | title = SCOE for IXV GNC | first1 = Enrique | last1 = Rodríguez | first2 = Pablo | last2 = Giménez | first3 = Ignacio | last3 = de Miguel | first4 = Vicente | last4 = Fernández | date = 25 September 2012 | conference = Simulation & EGSE Facilities for Space Programmes (SESP 2012) | conference-url = http://congrexprojects.com/12c09/ | publisher = European Space Agency | url = http://congrexprojects.com/docs/12c09_docs/rodriguez-(2).htm | access-date = 16 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035256/http://congrexprojects.com/docs/12c09_docs/rodriguez-(2).htm | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

As an experimental vehicle primarily intended to gather data, various assorted sensors and monitoring equipment were present and operational throughout the full length of the flight in order to gather data to support the evaluation effort, including the verification of the vehicle's critical reentry technologies.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> The recorded data covered various elements of the IXV's flight, including its guidance, navigation, and control systems, such as Vehicle Model Identification (VMI) measurements for post-flight reconstruction of the spacecraft's dynamic behaviour and environment, as well as the mandatory core experiments regarding its reentry technologies.<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> Additionally, the IXV will typically carry complementary passenger experiments which, while not having been directly necessary to its mission success, serve to increase the vehicle's return on investment; according to the ESA, in excess of 50 such proposals had been received from a mixture of European industries, research institutes and universities, many having benefits to future launcher programmes (such as potential additional methods for guidance, navigation, control, structural health monitoring, and thermal protection), space exploration, and scientific value. Throughout each mission, [[telemetry]] is broadcast to ground controllers to monitor the vehicle's progress;<ref name = "tum yves 2006"/> however, phenomenon such as the build-up of [[plasma (physics)|plasma]] around the spaceplane during its re-entry has been known to block radio signals.<ref name = "clark spacenow">Clark, Stephen. [https://spaceflightnow.com/2015/02/11/european-space-plane-flies-around-the-world-on-test-flight/ "European space plane flies around the world on test flight ."] ''spaceflightnow.com'', 11 February 2015.</ref>

The IXV is the precursor of the next model named [[Space Rider]], also developed under the Italian [[Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe|PRIDE programme]] for ESA.<ref name="Space Rider PRIDE" />

== Flight Test ==
During 2011, it was reported that the IXV was planned to conduct its maiden flight as early as 2013;<ref name="SpaceComEuropeMinishuttle">{{cite web | title = Europe Aims to Launch Robotic Mini-Shuttle By 2020 | first = Rob | last = Coppinger | date = 13 June 2011 | url = http://www.space.com/11948-robot-space-plane-europe-ixv-launching-2020.html | publisher  = Space.com | quote = In 2013, a Vega rocket will carry ESA’s Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle into space.}}</ref> however, the vehicle was later rescheduled to perform its first launch using the newly developed [[Vega (rocket)|Vega]] launcher during late 2014.<ref name="space-travel">{{cite web | title = Europe's IXV atmospheric reentry demonstrator ready for final tests | date = 24 March 2014 | publisher = space-travel.com | url = http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Europes_IXV_atmospheric_reentry_demonstrator_ready_for_final_tests_999.html | quote = The launch, using Europe's new Vega light launcher, is scheduled for October 2014.}}</ref><ref name="esaIXVfly">{{cite web | title = Vega to fly ESA experimental reentry vehicle | date = 16 December 2011 | url = http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMWQM8XZVG_index_0.html | publisher = ESA | quote = The launch of ESA’s IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle on Europe’s new Vega rocket is now in detailed planning, a major step towards the craft’s flight in 2014.
}}</ref> This initial launch window was ultimately missed due to unresolved range safety concerns.<ref>{{cite web | first = Peter B. | last = de Selding | title = Thales Alenia Officials Flabbergasted as Safety Concerns Sideline IXV | url = http://spacenews.com/42375thales-alenia-officials-flabbergasted-as-safety-concerns-sideline-ixv/ | work = [[SpaceNews (publication)|SpaceNews]] | date = 30 October 2014}}</ref>

Following some delays, on 11 February 2015 the IXV was successfully launched into a suborbital trajectory by a Vega rocket on the [[VV04]] mission.<ref name="launch11feb" /> Having launched at 08:40am local time,<ref>{{cite web | title = European Mini-Space Shuttle Aces 1st Test Flight | date = 11 February 2015 | url = http://www.space.com/28520-europe-launches-mini-shuttle-ixv.html | publisher = Space.com}}</ref> the vehicle separated from the Vega launch vehicle at 333&nbsp;km altitude and ascended to 412&nbsp;km, after which it commenced a controlled descent towards beginning its [[Atmospheric entry|reentry]] at 120&nbsp;km altitude, travelling at a recorded speed of 7.5&nbsp;km/s, identical to a typical re-entry path to be flown by [[low Earth orbit]] (LEO) spacecraft. Following re-entry, the IXV glided over the [[Pacific Ocean]] prior to the opening of its landing parachutes, which were deployed in order to slow down the craft's descent, having flown over 7300&nbsp;km from the beginning of its reentry.<ref name="ESABulletin161"/>{{rp|25–26}} The vehicle descended to the surface of the Pacific Ocean, where it was subsequently recovered by the ''Nos Aries'' ship; analysis of both the spacecraft itself and recorded mission data took place.<ref>{{cite web | title = ESA's IXV reentry vehicle prepares for soft landing | date = 9 November 2012 | url = http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Launchers_Home/SEMGNS62Q8H_0.html | publisher = ESA | quote = it will fly the experimental hypersonic phase over the Pacific Ocean, descend by parachute and land in the ocean to await recovery and analysis.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-31421200 |title=Europe's mini-space shuttle returns |work=BBC News |date=11 February 2015}}</ref> [[Jean-Jacques Dordain]], then-director general of the ESA, stated of the mission: "It couldn't have been better, but the mission itself is not yet over... it will move the frontiers of knowledge further back concerning aerodynamics, thermal issues, and guidance and navigation of such a vehicle – this lifting body".<ref name = "clark spacenow"/>

== Future Plans ==

Following on from the completion of the reportedly 'flawless' test flight, ESA officials decided that an additional test flight should be performed during the 2019-2020 timeframe. During this mission, the IXV had been envisioned to land in a different manner, descending directly onto a runway instead of performing a [[splashdown]] landing as before; this approach is to be achieved either via the installation of a [[parafoil]], or by the adoption of [[landing gear]]. The planning for the second spaceflight was originally to begin during March 2015, while design work on the modified vehicle was to commence during mid 2015.<ref name="SpaceComNextLaunch">{{cite web | title = Europe's Newly-Tested Space Plane Aims for Next Launch in 2019 | first = Elizabeth | last = Howell | date = 23 February 2015 | url = http://www.space.com/28622-european-space-plane-ixv-2019-launch.html | website = Space.com}}</ref> {{update after|2016}}

=== Transition to Space Rider ===
In the ESA December 2016 Science Budget funding was approved by the Ministerial Council for the next IXV flight in the form of the commercialised [[Space Rider]] orbital vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spacenews.com/europe-commits-to-the-space-station-and-exomars-as-part-of-11-billion-in-commitments-to-esa/|title=Europe commits to the space station and ExoMars as part of $11 billion in commitments to ESA - SpaceNews.com|date=2 December 2016}}</ref> Following design reviews in 2018 and 2019, a full size mockup was to be dropped from a balloon in 2019 and will have a first flight atop a Vega-C in 2020/2021. It will then conduct approximately 5 science flights at 6 to 12-month intervals before becoming commercially available from 2025 at a cost of $40,000 per kg of payload for launch, operation, and return to Earth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spacenews.com/esa-aims-to-privatize-space-rider-unmanned-spaceplane-by-2025/|title=ESA aims to privatize Space Rider unmanned spaceplane by 2025 - SpaceNews.com|date=22 June 2017}}</ref> The Space Rider mini shuttle will have a length of between 4 and 5 meters, a payload capacity of 800&nbsp;kg,<ref>{{cite news|title=The reusable spaceplane launched inside a rocket|author=Rob Coppinger|date=11 April 2017|url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170411-the-reusable-spaceplane-launched-inside-a-rocket|publisher=BBC|access-date=May 22, 2023}}</ref>  a total mass of 2,400&nbsp;kg, and endurance of 2 to 6-month missions at a 400&nbsp;km orbit before returning to Earth and being reflown within 4 months. The Vega-C rocket's 4th stage payload dispenser AVUM acts as the service module for the shuttle, providing orbital manoeuvring and braking, power, and communications before being jettisoned for re-entry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/space_transportation/Space_Rider_factsheet_HiRes_ok.pdf |title=Space Rider Fact Sheet|access-date=November 30, 2022|publisher=ESA}}</ref> The AVUM service module replaces the integrated IXV Propulsion Module and frees 0.8 m<sup>3</sup> of internal space in the vehicle for a payload bay. The Space Rider is similar in operation to the US [[X-37B]] but half the X37's length and a fifth the X37's mass and payload capacity, which will make it the smallest and lightest spaceplane to ever fly. Payload doors will be opened on achieving orbit exposing instruments and experiments to space before being closed for landing.

In December 2020, ESA signed contracts with co-prime contractors [[Thales Alenia Space]] and [[Avio]] for delivery of the Space Rider flight model. The first flight is now scheduled in late 2025.<ref name="nsf-20230826">{{cite web |last=Richards |first=Bella |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/08/space-rider-update/ |title=ESA's Space Rider likely to launch third quarter of 2025, program manager says |date=26 August 2023 |access-date=27 August 2023 |work=NASASpaceFlight}}</ref>

== Specifications ==
[[File:IXV drop-test model behind.jpg|thumb|Drop-test model of the IXV with the flotation balloons inflated, as displayed in ESA [[ESTEC]]. The flaps in this model cannot move.]]

{{Aircraft specs
|ref=ESA,<ref name="ixv-ebook"/> Space.com,<ref name="SpaceComEuropeMinishuttle"/> Gunter's Space Page<ref name="gunter">{{cite web | title = IXV | first = Gunter Dirk | last = Krebs | url = http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ixv.htm | access-date = 4 November 2011}}</ref>
|prime units?=met
|length m=5
|span m=2.2
|height m=1.5
|empty weight kg=480
|gross weight kg=1900
|more general=*'''Power:''' Batteries
|lift to drag=0.7
|range km=7500<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2015/02/IXV_flight_profile|title=IXV flight profile|website=European Space Agency}}</ref>
|max speed kmh=27720
|more performance=*'''Max altitude:''' {{convert|412|km|mi|abbr=on}}
}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[2015 in spaceflight]]
* [[Atmospheric Reentry Demonstrator]] (ARD) - ESA reentry testbed flown in 1998
* [[European eXPErimental Re-entry Testbed]] (EXPERT) - research programme developing materials used in IXV, never flown
* [[Future Launchers Preparatory Programme]] - parent programme for IXV
* [[Hopper (spacecraft)|Hopper]] - an earlier ESA project for a crewed spaceplane, cancelled
* [[HYFLEX|HYFLEX (Hypersonic Flight Experiment)]] - equivalent Japanese spaceplane demonstrator for HOPE-X developed and flown by NASDA in 1996
* [[RLV Technology Demonstration Programme|RLV-TD]] - Indian reusable technology validation test bed, in development by ISRO
* [[Space Rider]] - orbital spaceplane developed from IXV technologies
* [[List of European Space Agency programmes and missions]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal
 | title         = IXV: the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle
 | first1        = Giorgio
 | last1         = Tumino
 | first2        = Yves
 | last2         = Gerard
 | journal      = ESA Bulletin
 | number        = 128
 | date          = November 2006
 | pages         = 62–67
 | url           = http://www.esa.int/esapub/bulletin/bulletin128/bul128h_tumino.pdf
 }}
* {{cite conference
 |title         = The IXV project: the ESA re-entry system and technolologies demonstrator paving the way to European autonomous space transportation and exploration endeavours
 |first1        = Giorgio
 |last1         = Tumino
 |first2        = Enrico
 |last2         = Angelino
 |first3        = Frederic
 |last3         = Leleu
 |first4        = Roberto
 |last4         = Angelini
 |first5        = Patrice
 |last5         = Plotard
 |first6        = Josef
 |last6         = Sommer
 |date          = 15 October 2008
 |conference    = 3rd FLPP Industrial Workshop
 |conference-url = http://www.congrex.nl/08m35/
 |publisher     = European Space Agency
 |id            = IAC-08-D2.6.01
 |url           = http://www.congrex.nl/08m35/papers/IAC-08.D2.6.1.pdf
 |url-status       = dead
 |archive-url    = https://web.archive.org/web/20110724151212/http://www.congrex.nl/08m35/papers/IAC-08.D2.6.1.pdf
 |archive-date   = 24 July 2011
 |df            = dmy-all
}}
* {{cite conference
 |title       = Pre-X experimental re-entry lifting body: Design of flight test experiments for critical aerothermal phenomena
 |first       = Paolo
 |last        = Baiocca
 |date        = June 2007
 |conference  = Flight Experiments for Hypersonic Vehicle Development ([[von Karman Institute]], 24–27 October 2005)
 |isbn        = 978-92-837-0079-1
 |publisher   = NATO Research and Technology Organisation
 |pages       = 11–1–11–18
 |url         = http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public//PubFullText/RTO/EN/RTO-EN-AVT-130///EN-AVT-130-11.pdf
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20130302123431/http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public//PubFullText/RTO/EN/RTO-EN-AVT-130///EN-AVT-130-11.pdf
 |archive-date = 2 March 2013
 |df          = dmy-all
}}
* {{cite conference
 | work          = The Pre-X atmospheric re-entry experimental lifting body: Program status and system synthesis
 | first1        = Paolo
 | last1         = Baiocca
 | first2        = Sylvain
 | last2         = Guedron
 | first3        = Patrice
 | last3         = Plotard
 | first4        = Jacques
 | last4         = Moulin
 | date          = October 2006
 | volume = 61
 | issue = 1–6
 | conference    = International Astronautical Congress (IAF)
 | book-title     = Proceedings of the 57th IAF Congress
 | pages         = 459–474
 | doi           = 10.1016/j.actaastro.2007.01.053
 | bibcode= 2007AcAau..61..459B
 }}
* {{cite journal
 | title         = Experimental investigation of the influence of the flow structure on the aerodynamic coefficients of the IXV vehicle
 | first1        = T.
 | last1         = Gawehn
 | first2        = D.
 | last2         = Neeb
 | first3        = F.
 | last3         = Tarfeld
 | first4        = A.
 | last4         = Gülhan
 | first5        = M.
 | last5         = Dormieux
 | first6        = P.
 | last6         = Binetti
 | first7        = T.
 | last7         = Walloschek
 | date          = 2011
 | volume        = 21
 | issue         = 3
 | journal       = Shock Waves
 | pages         = 253–266
 | doi           = 10.1007/s00193-011-0326-y
 |bibcode = 2011ShWav..21..253G | s2cid = 120864411
 }}

== External links ==
* [http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/IXV/Reentry_technologies Official IXV website]
* [https://twitter.com/esa_ixv/ IXV Twitter profile]
* ''[http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/2015/02/Full_replay_from_liftoff_to_splashdown_for_IXV_reentry_mission Full replay from liftoff to splashdown for IXV reentry mission]'', ESA Multimedia Gallery (11 February 2015)
* ''[http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/2015/06/Replay_of_IXV_conference IXV first results press conference]'', ESA Space in Videos (16 June 2015)
* ''[http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/2012/11/ESA_s_IXV_reentry_vehicle_mission ESA's IXV reentry vehicle mission]'', ESA Multimedia Gallery (2012 animation)
* ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsMhk_KJtTM IXV: learning to come back from Space]'', [http://www.esa.int/esatv/Videos/2008/10/IXV_Video_News_Release_VNR_-_October_2008 IXV Video News Release VNR]
* ''[http://www.esa.int/esatv/Videos/2013/12/Preview_2014/IXV_Intermediate_Experimental_Vehicle ESA's Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle]'', ESA Multimedia Gallery (2008 animation)
* [[Euronews|ESA Euronews]]: [http://www.esa.int/spaceinvideos/Videos/2013/08/ESA_Euronews_The_re-entry_test "Splashdown – the re-entry test"] (2013-08-22). {{youTube|id=uu2HHZP3ybo|link=no}}
* [http://www.cnes.fr/web/CNES-en/4404-pre-x-gliding-safely-back-to-earth.php CNES reusable atmospheric re-entry vehicle: PRE-X]

{{Spaceplanes}}
{{European Space Agency}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Intermediate Experimental Vehicle}}
[[Category:Atmospheric entry]]
[[Category:CNES]]
[[Category:European Space Agency satellites]]
[[Category:Hypersonic aircraft]]
[[Category:2010s international experimental aircraft]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 2015]]
[[Category:Spaceplanes]]
[[Category:Suborbital spaceflight]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched by Vega rockets]]
[[Category:Technology demonstrations]]