IXV spacecraft

From the outer to inner layers, IXV comprises:

• Thermal protective shells of ceramics and ablatives to resist the extreme heat of reentry,

• Structural panels made of carbon-fibre reinforced polymer to hold inner elements in place during launch and landing,

• Functional and experimental subsystems equipment.

Components (from front to back):

• Avionics (power, data handling, telemetry),

• Parachute (supersonic multi-stage) and floatation devices,

• Actuators (thrusters and flaps).