Fri, Jan 30, 2015
Now Encapsulated In Vega Launcher's Payload Fairing And Transported To Integration Facility
Preparations are moving forward for next month’s Vega flight, with its Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) passenger now integrated in the lightweight launcher’s payload fairing.
During activity at the Spaceport’s S5 payload preparation facility on Monday, IXV was installed on the cone-shaped adapter that serves as its interface with Vega – the smallest member of Arianespace’s launch vehicle family. IXV has been encapsulated inside Vega’s payload fairing, which will be followed by the completed unit’s transfer to the ELA-1 complex for integration atop its launch vehicle.
IXV is an atmospheric reentry demonstrator designed to flight test technologies and critical systems for Europe’s future automated reentry systems on their return from low Earth orbit. Built by Thales Alenia Space for the European Space Agency (ESA), IXV will be deployed into a suborbital trajectory by Vega – from which this unmanned spaceplane will record data using a large number of conventional and advanced sensors before its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
The upcoming mission – designated Flight VV04 in Arianespace’s numbering system – is scheduled for February 11, and will be the fourth use of Vega since its February 2012 introduction at the Spaceport.
As the first liftoff of an Arianespace launch vehicle family member in 2015, this will initiate another busy year of mission activity for the company with its light-lift Vega, medium-weight Soyuz and heavy-lift Ariane 5.
(Image provided by Arianespace)
More News
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]
Aero Linx: Pararescue Air Force Pararescuemen, also known as PJs, are the only DoD elite combat forces specifically organized, trained, equipped, and postured to conduct full spect>[...]