At the Esreind Cosmodrome (Esrange Space Center) in Kiruna, Sweden, the first sample of the reusable rocket demonstrator of the European Space Agency was installed on the launch pad (THIS) Themis.
The Themis program is designed to develop technologies for the recovery and reuse of rocket stages. The first test device, T1H (Themis-1 engine-Hop), arrived in Sweden in the summer. After mounting the landing supports, the device is in height 30 meters and diameter 3,5 meter is fully assembled and ready for preparatory tests.
Technologies and features
Themis will be Europe's first test of a full-scale vertical takeoff and landing rocket element using a cryogenic engine. The demonstrator is based on the Prometheus engine, in terms of power, it is almost equivalent to the main engine of the Ariane rocket 6, but capable of adjusting thrust and relaunching in flight. This allows for a controlled landing and safe re-use of the step.
Logistics and integration
T1H was transported by road transport for more than 3000 km — from the ArianeGroup integration plant in Le Meuro, France, to northern Sweden. After final assembly at the Kiruna production complex, the demonstrator was moved to the launch pad, where the first full integration of landing gear took place.
Further steps
The next stage will be the so-called "wet dress rehearsal" (wet dress rehearsal), which precedes the first test flight.
Themis was developed as part of the ESA Future Space Transportation program, where the main contractor is ArianeGroup with the participation of numerous European industrial partners. The first test flights in the T1H version will be carried out within the framework of the Salto project under the EU program "Horizon Europe". They participate in the project 25 partners from 12 countries of the European Union.
Source: https://phys.org