🚀 A major milestone for Themis at Esrange Space Center. On 23 July 2026, ArianeGroup and SSC Space teams completed a flight chronology rehearsal, also known as a wet dress rehearsal, with the Themis reusable stage demonstrator, as part of the EU-funded SALTO test campaign. Using liquid nitrogen in place of liquid oxygen and liquid methane, the teams simulated launch operations under cryogenic conditions, with temperatures as low as -200°C. The full-day rehearsal covered the countdown chronology, from the pre-flight preparation of the demonstrator and launch pad to the post-virtual-launch operations required to safe the site. This test has provided essential data for the next stages of the campaign and marks further progress towards the Hop Test: Europe’s first flight test with recovery. Following SALTO’s test-and-learn approach, each successive demonstration helps develop and mature the technologies required for reusability, bringing Europe closer to sovereign capabilities in reusable space technologies. The teams are now working to define the window for the next test. #RocketMakers #Civil #Themis @SSCspace @EU_Commission @ESA_transport @projectsalto