Meanwhile in Sweden a launch pad gets ready

A successful flight demonstration requires more than just a launcher and preparations are underway to build the Themis test launch facility in Sweden.

Teams are now finalising the electric and fluidic ground support equipment. This includes the fuel lines, nitrogen supplies, rocket stands, flares to burn off unused fuel, and propellant tanks. To deliver the liquid oxygen and liquid methane propellants for Themis, storage and distribution systems are being constructed.

Lastly the installation of an operations centre – Themis mission control – has started in a room of an ESA building at Esrange to launch and monitor the rocket.