The Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle or IXV, a scaled-down model of Europe's upcoming space plane, is set to fly into space for the first time on Feb. 11.

IXV, a project of the European Space Agency (ESA), is an experimental space plane that will pave the way for Europe's first reusable space transportation system. It will be launched from ESA's main spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana at 8:00 a.m. ET. On this flight, the IXV will be unmanned.

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IXV is an experimental re-entry vehicle intended to validate ESA's reusable launchers program. The vehicle is a lifting body because its shape produces lift without the need for wings.

IXV has four thrusters and two body flaps at the rear that provide flight control. The flaps are used for pitch control, which tilts the nose of the IXV goes up or down during re-entry. IXV will be the predecessor of Europe's forthcoming robot space plane.

For its first flight, IXV will lift off at aboard a rocket and splash down in the Pacific Ocean 100 minutes later. IXV will separate from the rocket at an altitude of 200 miles (320 kilometers) and coast up to an altitude of 280 miles (450 kilometers) before heading for atmospheric re-entry.

The space plane will decelerate to supersonic from hypersonic speeds and then deploy a parachute to further slow it down. Its flaps and thrusters will autonomously steer it to splash down in the water. Flotation balloons will keep it from sinking so it can be recovered by ship.

IXV was to have made its first launch in June 2014. It failed to meet this initial launch window due to range safety concerns. The flight was then reset for Feb. 11.