T1H-1 on Themis Demonstrator — launch time & how to watch

The Themis T1H-1 hop test is scheduled to lift off from Launch Complex 3B at Esrange Space Center in Sweden in Q4 2026, according to the European Space Agency. Themis is a reusable rocket-stage demonstrator built to prove vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTVL) technology for future European launchers.

What is Themis?

Themis is a full-scale prototype developed by ESA and prime contractor ArianeGroup to demonstrate the recovery and reuse of a first stage, much like the boosters that land back on Earth today. The vehicle is powered by the methane-liquid oxygen Prometheus engine, itself an ESA-funded reusable engine designed for a target cost roughly ten times lower than legacy European engines. The program is a cornerstone of Europe's strategy to develop cost-competitive, reusable access to space.

What is the T1H-1 hop test?

The T1H-1 designation marks the first low-altitude "hop" of the Themis single-engine demonstrator. In a hop test, the vehicle fires its engine, rises a short distance under its own power, hovers, and then performs a controlled powered descent back to the pad. These flights validate the throttling, guidance, and landing-leg systems that a reusable stage needs before attempting higher-altitude and eventual orbital-return flights.

When is the Themis launch?

The current no-earlier-than target is in Q4 2026. The status is listed as TBD, which is normal for a first-of-its-kind test campaign — dates for early hop tests routinely shift as ground testing, static fires, and range approvals are completed. Check the rocket launch schedule on Cosmik for the latest confirmed time.

Where is it launching from?

The test will fly from Launch Complex 3B at Esrange Space Center, near Kiruna in northern Sweden. Esrange, operated by the Swedish Space Corporation, has been used for sounding rockets and balloon flights since the 1960s and is being expanded to support small orbital launches and reusable-vehicle testing. Its remote sub-Arctic location provides large, sparsely populated safety zones ideal for experimental hop flights.

How to watch the Themis hop test live

ESA typically streams major test milestones on its official channels. If a webcast is confirmed for T1H-1, it will be shared ahead of the attempt. In the meantime, you can follow the countdown and the vehicle's real-time trajectory context on Cosmik:

• Track the launch and view the live 3D solar-system and orbit map on the Cosmik live map.
• See every upcoming mission on the launch schedule.
• Read the latest launch news for updates as the date firms up.

Why does this test matter?

Reusability has reshaped the global launch market, and Europe currently lacks an operational reusable stage. A successful Themis hop is a direct step toward that capability, feeding technology into future vehicles and helping ESA reduce the cost of European launches. The program's incremental approach — hop tests first, then higher and faster flights — mirrors the proven path used to develop today's landing boosters.

Key facts at a glance

Background and sources

Launch data on this page is drawn from The Space Devs Launch Library. For further background, see the Themis, European Space Agency, and Esrange Wikipedia pages. All mission-specific timings above reflect the currently published target and remain subject to change.

Follow the Themis hop test live on Cosmik and enable free launch alerts so you get notified the moment the date and time are confirmed — then watch the demonstrator and the world's satellites in real time on our 3D map.