Ground Qualification Testing Begins for Europe's Callisto Reusable Rocket Demonstrator

At a glance

France's space agency CNES has announced the start of ground qualification tests for Callisto, a reusable rocket demonstrator. A full-size mockup has been set up at the Guiana Space Centre, and engineers are using it to check ground equipment and communication between the launch site and the rocket. The first flight is scheduled for 2027.

Key points

1. 1

   The full-size mockup was built by CIPAL and set up at the former Diamant launch site.

2. 2

   For one week, communication between the launch base and the rocket has been under test.

3. 3

   This communication must not drop during liftoff and especially during descent, which is why it matters.

4. 4

   Germany's aerospace center DLR reported that it tested deploying the landing legs in October.

Why it matters

Reusable rockets are recovered and flown again, which can lower costs, so they are attracting growing attention.