These photos sent in from ESA’s team on board the Nos Aries in the Pacific this morning. Comment provided by IXV Flight Director Gerhard Billig.

Some pics from a balloon test launched from the ship [yesterday]. We do this to get knowledge of wind and temperature of the atmosphere, to see that the conditions are in line with the IXV design constraints and for the accurate predication of the splash-down site.

Weather watch: launching balloon from Nos Aries Credit: ESA

Weather watch: launching balloon from Nos Aries Credit: ESA

 

Weather watch: launching balloon from Nos Aries Credit: ESA

Weather watch: launching balloon from Nos Aries Credit: ESA