Checking IXV for residual hydrazine

ESA’s IXV spaceplane, launched on a Vega rocket on 11 February, is now on its way to Europe for detailed study in Italy.

The Nos Aries recovery ship waited while divers in speedboats approached the floating craft and checked for residual propellant fumes.

On the all-clear, the boat carefully manoeuvred closer and the recovery crane hoisted the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, IXV, to safety before the fuel tank was cleaned out for the journey home to Europe for further analysis.