The IXV reached the altitude of 450 km, then began the return phase during which it acquired the initial test data that is fundamental to the development of future vehicles for return from space. The flight, which lasted a total of about 100 minutes, was constantly monitored by Altec's command and control centre in Turin. The mission ended with the splashdown and recovery of the vehicle in the Pacific Ocean.
This mission is of particular importance since, for the first time, Europe has carried out an atmospheric reentry experiment with a spacecraft that has aerodynamic manoeuvre capabilities, a kind of automatic mini shuttle, and this is an essential step for the design of future applications in the field of space transportation and exploration of the solar system.
For the IXV mission, Thales Alenia Space is in charge and Prime Contractor of the overall activities towards the European Space Agency (ESA), and is the leader of a consortium formed by the main European industries, also with contribution of research centres and universities. Telespazio designed and developed the Ground Segment Network (GSN) in partnership with Altec and OHB. In addition, the company created the network that connects ALTEC's Mission Control Centre in Turin with the stations in Fucino, Kourou, Libreville, Malindi, the IXV capsule and the support ship, through the telemetry, video and voice data is transmitted.
Telespazio contributes significantly to the VEGA programme, confirming its role as an international operator in the field of space services. The company built both the software systems of command and control on the ground and the new flight software known as Flight Programme Software Alternatives (FPSA). In addition, Telespazio, through its subsidiary Telespazio France, supports the launch services of Vega from the Kourou Space Centre, providing weather, radar, telemetry and control services. This commitment makes Telespazio the only Italian company involved in the development of both VEGA's ground and flight segments.