Splashdown! Europe's first 'space taxi' returns to Earth after successful 100-minute mission
Channel: Aliens insider
Date: 2015-06-22

Splashdown! Europe's first 'space taxi' returns to Earth after successful 100-minute mission through the atmosphere



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An experimental spaceplane has returned to Earth after a successful mission. 

Esa launched its unmanned Intermediate Experimental Vehicle (IXV) on a Vega rocket from Kourou in South America at 1340 GMT today.

The initial launch was postponed after an unidentified problem with the launch complex.

In total the flight lasted about 100 minutes, and included a daring re-entry into Earth's atmosphere to test new technologies.  

The craft was fired 256 miles (412km) into Earth's atmosphere in the first test flight of technology that could lead to new re-usable spacecraft for use on future missions to Mars.

'IXV has opened a new chapter for Esa in terms of reentry capabilities and reusability,' explained Jean-Jacques Dordain, Esa Director General.

'Esa and its Member States, together with European space industry, are now ready to take up new challenges in several fields of space transportation, in future launchers, robotic exploration or human spaceflight.'