IXV

ESA / ASI / Next Generation Launcher Prime

Formally initiated by the ASI and CIRA in 2005, a Vega rocket was launched in February 2015 by ESA and ASI carrying the Thales Alenia Space built Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle on a suborbital trajectory.

After reaching orbital speeds it reentered and successfully splashed down on the Pacific Ocean. Its attitude was controlled by thrusters and the two large flaps seen here at the bottom.

It was developed within the Programme for Reusable In-orbit Demonstrator in Europe (PRIDE) itself within the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) to demonstrate the technology for the upcoming Space Rider reusable spaceplane, to be built by Thales Alenia Space and Avio.