ArianeGroup and the Swedish Space Corporation have successfully finished the second wet dress rehearsal for the Themis reusable rocket demonstrator. The test, which took place on 29 September at the Esrange facility in Sweden, was officially confirmed by the European Space Agency on 7 October.
During the procedure, the team utilized liquid nitrogen cooled to approximately -200 degrees Celsius instead of actual propellant. This method allows for the evaluation of ground infrastructure and vehicle systems under cryogenic conditions while minimizing safety risks associated with fuel loading.
The rehearsal also involved testing automated ground systems designed for reusable rocket operations. These robotic mechanisms are intended to locate the vehicle after landing and perform fuel drainage remotely, ensuring personnel remain at a safe distance from the hardware.
Future plans include a hot-fire test of the Prometheus engine, which will require a subsequent rehearsal using liquid oxygen and methane. Following these preparations, the team intends to conduct an inaugural hop test, where the vehicle will reach an altitude of up to 100 metres.
The flight campaign is supported by the European Union through the SALTO initiative. This project, valued at €42,8 million, aims to demonstrate the full cycle of launching, recovering, and relaunching the Themis vehicle during its initial low-altitude flight tests.
