CNES starts ground qualification testing for Callisto reusable rocket demonstrator

CNES has begun ground qualification testing for the Callisto reusable rocket demonstrator at the Guiana Space Centre. A full-scale mockup made by French company CIPAL has been erected at the former Diamant launch facility, which is being redeveloped for the programme.

In a 29 October announcement, CNES said the mockup will be used to test and validate ground systems, interfaces between the vehicle and ground infrastructure, and operational procedures. Teams are running a week-long campaign to test communications between the launch base and the vehicle, intended to ensure reliable communications during take-off and, in particular, during descent.

CNES said ground testing will continue into 2027, "paving the way for the arrival of the flight vehicle shortly afterwards." It did not say what shortly afterwards means. In an update published on 3 August, the German Aerospace Center (DLR) said Callisto's inaugural flight was expected in 2027. CNES did not explicitly corroborate that target.

DLR reported in a 5 October LinkedIn post that engineers had run deployment tests on the vehicle's landing legs at its Landing and Mobility Test Facility (LAMA).

Sourceeuropeanspaceflight.com