Collaboration

The mission was primarily supported by seven member states: Italy, France, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, Ireland and Portugal. Italy provided the largest share of funding. Additional member states, such as Germany and the Netherlands, provided complementary support to the mission.

Thales Alenia Space Italia was the prime contractor for IXV’s space and ground segments, integrating competences from around 40 other European companies, universities and research institutes.

It cost around €150 million for the design and development of the IXV flight vehicle, ground support equipment, and ground segment (mission control centre update, naval antenna, telemetry kits, communications network), along with qualification and mission operations. This includes expenses related to the recovery ship but excludes the cost of the Vega rocket.