The Horizon Europe project SALTO is proud to announce the 3D virtual experience of the Themis hop-test is now available online. This new interactive tool offers a visually engaging overview of the key activities that will take place at the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden, as part of Europe’s first fly / recover / re-fly demonstration of a reusable rocket first-stage demonstrator.
The 3D experience is designed to provide an illustrative and accessible introduction to the complex operations behind the upcoming hop test — a critical milestone aimed at validating the vertical landing capability of the demonstrator. This phase is essential for enabling future recovery and reusability of launch vehicles in Europe.
While the full scope of the SALTO hop test campaign at Esrange Space Center will include a wide range of technical operations — from hot-firing tests and wet rehearsals to robotic ground system demonstrations — the virtual experience focuses on presenting a clear, concise visualization of the main steps involved in the flight and landing process. It offers realistic visuals to help viewers understand the key stages of the operation without overwhelming technical detail.
Linda Kimeisa, project SALTO communication manager, WIT Berry: “The goal of the SALTO consortium is not only to advance technology, but also to share the knowledge we gain. This 3D experience allows everyone to witness a key step in Europe’s effort to make spaceflight reusable and sustainable.”
This 3D experience is designed primarily for the general public, space enthusiasts, students, and stakeholders who are curious to see how Europe is progressing in the field of reusable launch technologies. By offering a visually rich and easy-to-understand overview, it allows both experts and non-experts to explore the core steps of the SALTO hop-test and better understand the significance of this milestone in European space innovation.
The 3D experience can be accessed via the SALTO website: test.salto-project.eu.
About SALTO project
The EU funded project SALTO stands for “reuSable strAtegic space Launcher Technologies & Operations”. The project’s consortium involves 25 partners from 12 countries:
- ArianeGroup SAS, ArianeGroup GmbH, MT Aerospace AG, Safran Data Systems, Safran Electronics & Defense, Avio S.p.A., Sabca, Thales Alenia Space Belgium S.A., GTD Sistemas de Información S.A., GMV Aerospace and Defence SA, Deimos Engineering and Systems S.L.U, Sener TAFS SAU, Swedish Space Corporation, Amorim Cork Composites SA;
- Research institutes: German Aerospace Center (DLR), CNES, ONERA, IRT Jules Verne, INCAS;
- Start-ups and SMEs: ID-Services, Shark Robotics SARL, G.L.Electronic s.r.o, SIA WIT Berry, Réaltra Space Systems Engineering, SpaceForest sp. z o.o.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under grant agreement No 101082007. More information on SALTO project www.salto-project.eu.
Contact information
Linda Kimeiša
SALTO project communication manager
+32 486173365
