Posted on 02/11/2015 8:10:08 AM PST by BenLurkin
An unmanned European Space Agency (Esa) mini-space shuttle has splashed down in the Pacific Ocean nearly two hours after launching.
The IXV spaceplane resembles a smaller, robotically controlled version of the US space shuttle and could provide Europe with a new, re-useable space transportation system.
It blasted off on a Vega rocket from South America just after 13:40 GMT.
The test could inform future technology for landing payloads on Mars.
The test vehicle flew east around the globe, before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean at about 15:20 GMT.
The wedge-shaped IXV (Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle) is designed to gather information on how space objects fall back to Earth.
Commenting on the launch, Esa director-general Jean Jacques Dordain said: "It couldn't have gone better."
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
If it had blasted off on a Chevy Vega you would’ve never seen it again. And there would be a puddle of rust and oil on the launching pad.
CC
Well at least it wouldn't blow up if it got rear ended. ; )
Now that you bring that up you probably have noticed the aerospace industry hasn’t named anything “pinto” for approximately 40 some years now.
=^)
CC
Well, Sierra Nevada Corp had a “mini shuttle” in the running for the next LEO vehicle but nasa, in it’s infinite wisdom, decided to return to the past with splash down capsules. Of course since SNC was a realtive newcomer and the Boeing long time buddy connection was firmly in place plus the paypal, obie’s buddy connection, with spaceX............ Well, you know the rest of the story.
So they want to re-invent a downsized space shuttle.
Do the math.
It was costing us $500 million per shuttle launch. How is this new one going to reduce that number on a per ton basis?
If it is the European Space Agency, why did it take off from South America and land on a runway, like the space shuttle? No comparison.
gather information on how space objects fall back to Earth
It’s called gravity.
The ESA’s launch site is in French Guiana because it’s cheaper to get into orbit by launching at the equator.
“The ESA’s launch site is in French Guiana because it’s cheaper to get into orbit by launching at the equator.”
That is only part of the answer to a rhetorical question.
Well, the Europeans haven’t given up on Space—Why have we?
If it had blasted off on a Chevy Vega...
He went to the junkyard, picked up horns from a Cadillac, and installed them, they were LOUD. People would get PO’d when he’d honk the horn, and they’d slam the brakes, only to realize it was just a little spit box Vega ;)
Here is the video of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cBD-8m4rQk
One of the best episodes of Top Gear...EVER!
I really was hoping for a 100% success.
I had a ‘78 monza kammback wagon which, for all intents and purposes was a vega with a new grille. That thing was such a piece of... Let me put it this way: there were 3 just like it in the junkyard and by the time I sold it i knew each ones location and available parts better than the yard owners.
CC
I remember those cars, and yes, they were all a bunch of cr@p. Funny story, about the junkyard ;) Thanks for your reply !
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