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Experimental European IXV spacecraft lifts off for maiden flight

Under the flight plan, the spacecraft is to separate from the launch vehicle at the elevation of 340 km above the surface of the Earth
Replica of European IXV spacecraft  EPA/BAS CZERWINSKI
Replica of European IXV spacecraft
© EPA/BAS CZERWINSKI

MOSCOW, February 11. /TASS/. The Vega light launch vehicle carrying the experimental IXV shuttle spacecraft designed by the European Space Agency has lifted off from the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana.

Live coverage of the event was broadcast to the ESA Moscow office.

The first flight will be conducted along a suborbital trajectory.

Under the flight plan, the spacecraft is to separate from the launch vehicle at the elevation of 340 km above the surface of the Earth, some 18 minutes after the liftoff.