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.
