In brief

  • The first model of ESA’s reusable rocket demonstrator Themis is standing on its own legs at its launch pad in Kiruna, Sweden.
  • Themis is set to be the first European demonstration of a full-scale vertical take-off and landing rocket element that uses cryogenic propulsion.
  • This is the first time the rocket stage demonstrator has had its four legs installed, now the demonstrator is fully assembled.
  • Zykino@programming.devEnglish
    0·
    4 days ago

    SpaceX is a strange player in this field since they test their hardware to the limit. Here is an old video with thz falcon explosions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9FzWPObsWA. It is 8 years old so does not contaign the starship tests.

    On the other hand of the spectrum, you have all the national agencies that simulate a lot and test in controled environment. Did you see SaturnV explosions during development ? Or Artemis launch ? Ariane 5 only had 1 bug, Ariane 6 have a flowless start.

    Just not the same test/development phylosohy.