European Space Agency Launches Test Craft

The European Space Agency (ESA) launched its experimental IXV spacecraft atop a Vega rocket on February 11. The launch was part of an experimental programme to develop a new European spacecraft with the ability to reenter the atmosphere and land safely. The February 11 test flight was expected to take approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, at the end of which the craft would splash down in the ocean, according to the ESA’s website.

This video shows the launch on February 11. At 1.58 into the footage the video switches to an animation showing the craft in space. See footage of ESA preparing the craft for launch here. Credit: YouTube/European Space Agency, ESA