As the USA bows out of leading the world in space exploration, ESA far from sitting on their thumbs is looking at a low orbit reusable space transport vehicle by what the next decade you say? Nope, 2013. ESA's test bed will be the IXV Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle which will explore autonomous reentry, space transportation, exploration and robotic servicing of space infrastructure, according to their news release here.
The article gives a lot of information about the experimental lifting body and mission plans.
Check it out here.
The article gives a lot of information about the experimental lifting body and mission plans.
Check it out here.
4 comments:
I wonder where the funds are coming from?? Glad we've donated countless... Billions to their defunct economies, the UN, etc... *grumble grumble*
Practical, but robotic servicing of the ISS is about, but not quite, as exciting as watching grass grow.
A good post that serves as a reminder of just how far we've allowed ourselves to fall.
Good point John, On the shoulders of giants is all well and good until the giant gets tired of the heavy lifting the he is a greedy no good sob.....
I hear ya Dave and agree. It might not have been high entertainment there still was something for those of us who enjoyed watching the ugly beast do beautiful things and show us great beauty. That is still going to be happening, but now....we are just along for the ride....whats the diff between a tourist paying for a seat and a NASA astronaut paying for a seat? Yeah, NASA pays more.....
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