Vega VV04 on launch pad

ESA’s Vega VV04 rocket, carrying IXV, is ready for liftoff, at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on 11 February 2015.

IXV will be launched 320 km into space on top of a Vega rocket, VV04, climbing up to 420 km before beginning a long glide back through the atmosphere. In the process, IXV will gather data on reentry conditions to help guide the design of future spaceplanes.

More about IXV: http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Launchers/IXV

Connect with IXV on Twitter: twitter.com/esa_ixv