THE IXV PROGRAMME: READY FOR FLIGHT
- Paper number
IAC-14,D2,6,1,x22295
- Author
Mr. Giorgio Tumino, European Space Agency (ESA), France
- Coauthor
Mr. Roberto Angelini, Thales Alenia Space Italia, Italy
- Year
2014
- Abstract
The Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV) is an advanced re-entry demonstrator vehicle aimed to perform in-flight experimentation of atmospheric re-entry enabling systems and technologies. 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 system and technology levels, and provides a unique and concrete way 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 reentry system, integrating critical re-entry technologies at system level. Among such critical technologies of interest, special attention is paid to aerodynamic and aerothermodynamics experimentation, including 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. Following the extensive detailed design, manufacturing, qualification, integration and testing of the flight segment and ground segment elements, the implementation of the mission into space is planned by October-2014. The 65th IAC presentation and article will provide the up-to-date status of the IXV mission preparation, including launch campaign and the vehicle readiness for flight.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)