The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch its unmanned space plane, aboard the Vega rocket, to test re-entry technologies for future autonomous controlled re-entry for return missions.

ESA has started preparation for the launch of its Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, IXV, which is expected to be lifted from Guiana Space Centre (GSC) in Kourou, French Guiana into a suborbital trajectory on 11 February.

The launch of the space plane was postponed on 18 November following a safety review ordered by the French space agency (CNES), asking launch authorities to analyse the risks posed to the public by the booster’s unique trajectory.

During lift-off, instead of heading north into a polar orbit during planned flights, Vega will go eastwards to release the spaceplane into a suborbital path reaching to the Pacific.

ESA IXV launch campaign manager Jose-Maria Gallego Sanz said: "Launch preparations have resumed.



"No additional tests are needed, IXV is ready to fly."

"Batteries that were removed from IXV are being taken from cold storage, charged and reinstalled. No additional tests are needed, IXV is ready to fly."

According to ESA, this mission is expected to deliver significant flight data for Europe in order to develop systems and advanced technologies for future transportation systems.

Weighing around two tonnes and the size of a car, the IXV will take 100 minutes from liftoff to splashdown and two-piece shell will open to release the spaceplane at an altitude of 320km.

During its atmospheric re-entry, the spacecraft will use its aerodynamic shape, thrusters and two tail flaps and reach a speed of around 7.7km/s at an altitude of 120km, replicating as if returning from low-Earth orbit.

On 25 January, ESA’s recovery team will board the ship to set off on the last leg of its journey to the recovery spot, ESA said.

Image: Giorgio Tumino, ESA’s IXV programme manager with Davide Nicolini, ESA Vega operational launch system project manager. Photo: courtesy of ESA.