Maturation of technologies for space reusability : European prototype Themis completes second wet dress rehearsal

On September 29, 2026, the European reusable stage prototype Themis successfully conducted a second wet dress rehearsal of the flight chronology as part of the SALTO (Reusable Strategic Space Launcher Technologies & Operations) experimental campaign led by ArianeGroup at Esrange Space Center in Sweden, owned and operated by SSC Space.

This wet dress rehearsal of the flight chronology contributes to the technological maturation of the Themis system. ArianeGroup teams have achieved new milestones in repeating the “synchronized sequence” (the final automatic phase of the countdown), as well as in exploring the “post-flight” sequence with the use of a fleet of robots designed to secure the vehicle after landing.

These elements mark progress in the operational mastery of the system. Conducting this test has enabled the collection of essential data for the continuation of the SALTO campaign. The teams are now working on defining a window for the next test.

About SALTO

SALTO (reuSable strAtegic space Launcher Technologies & Operations) is a project funded by the European Union under the Space R&I work programme and implemented by the Space Research unit of HaDEA. Coordinated by ArianeGroup, the project brings together 25 partners from 12 EU countries, and focuses not only on performing a hop test, but also on maturing and validating a wide range of technologies for future reusable launch systems. The test campaign is being carried out at Esrange Space Center.

About Themis

Themis, the first European reusable main stage’s full-scale demonstrator, was developed by the European Space Agency’s future Space Transportation preparation programme, with ArianeGroup as prime contractor and multiple European industrial partners. Once completed, Themis was taken forward by the Horizon Europe project SALTO – funded by the European Commission – for the launch campaign.