The IXV Project. The ESA re-entry system and technolologies demonstrator paving the way to European autonomous space transportation and exploration endeavours
- Paper number
IAC-08.D2.6.1
- Author
Mr. Giorgio Tumino, European Space Agency (ESA), France
- Coauthor
Mr. Enrico Angelino, NGL Prime S.p.A., Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Frederic Leleu, NGL Prime SpA, Italy
- Coauthor
Mr. Patrice Plotard, EADS Astrium Space Transportation, France
- Coauthor
Mr. Roberto Angelini, Thales Alenia Space Italia, Italy
- Year
2008
- Abstract
The IXV project objective is to consolidate the role of Europe and its Industry within the strategic and critical area of atmospheric re-entry for applications ranging from future ambitious space transportation to exploration endeavours. Since 2002, ESA has focused on an optimised long-term scheme for in-flight experimentation. In 2005, further consolidation with Industry confirmed the IXV as the core intermediate step of such European experimentation effort (this explains the Intermediate in the name). The IXV integrates key technologies at the system level, with significant advancements on Europe’s previous flying test-beds. The project builds on previous achievements at the system and technology levels, and provides a unique and concrete mean of establishing and consolidating Europe’s autonomous position in the strategic field of atmospheric re-entry. The IXV mission and system objectives are the design, development, manufacturing, assembling and on-ground to in-flight verification of an autonomous European lifting and aerodynamically controlled re-entry system, integrating critical re-entry technologies at system level. Among such critical technologies of interest, special attention is paid to advanced instrumentation for aerothermodynamics phenomena investigations, thermal protections and hot-structures, guidance, navigation and flight control through combined jets and aerodynamic surfaces (i.e. flaps), in particular focusing on the technologies integration at system level for flight. The IXV design activities are well in progress through the running project phase-B2/C1 and heading to the preliminary design reviews at the system and subsystems levels. The 59th IAC presentation and paper will give an up-to-date insight on the IXV project, focusing on the ESA programmatic frame and objectives while providing also the up-to-date activities status and perspective.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)