The first test model, known as T1H for Themis-1 engine-Hop, arrived in Kiruna earlier this summer after a 3000 km journey by truck from the ArianeGroup integration site in Les Mureaux, France. Standing 30 m tall and 3.5 m wide, T1H has now been fully assembled, with its four landing legs installed for the first time.
The vehicle incorporates the Prometheus engine, a restartable liquid oxygen and methane engine that can throttle thrust to ensure controlled landings. Comparable in power to Ariane 6's main engine, Prometheus is a key step in Europe's effort to develop cost-effective and reusable launch technologies.
Following integration and final checks in an assembly building at Kiruna, Themis was transferred to the launch pad in August and mounted on support equipment for leg installation. With the demonstrator now standing complete, engineers will proceed with a wet dress rehearsal before the first hop test campaign.
Themis has been developed under ESA's Future Space Transportation Preparation Programme, with ArianeGroup as prime contractor and numerous European industrial contributors. The test flights of T1H are part of the EU-funded Horizon Europe project Salto, involving 25 partners across 12 countries, aimed at advancing Europe's independent access to space.
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