Mastering the high-stakes transition from space to Earth

Space · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Re-entry is the most critical moment for any spacecraft. This video explores the intense heat and danger of atmospheric return through archive footage and a tour of the IXV spacecraft.

Programme manager Giorgio Tumino provides an inside look at the Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle (IXV). Launched in November 2014, the mission was designed to provide engineers with vital data to help them navigate the perilous transition between space and our planet.

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