Reusable launch systems are reshaping the future of space transportation. By enabling launch vehicles to fly, land, recover and fly again, reusable rocket technologies have the potential to significantly reduce launch costs, improve the environmental footprint of space activities and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in strategic space missions.
On 26 June 2026, the Horizon Europe SALTO project consortium will host the webinar “Advancing reusable launcher technologies”, bringing together leading European space experts to present key engineering developments supporting the next generation of reusable launch vehicles.
The SALTO (reuSable strAtegic space Launcher Technologies & Operations) project is working to raise the maturity level of Europe’s first reusable rocket technologies. A major objective of the project is to demonstrate, for the first time in Europe, fly / recover / re-fly cycles of a reusable rocket first-stage demonstrator. Through this ambitious approach, SALTO aims to validate critical technologies required for future reusable space transportation systems.
A key milestone of the project will be the hop test campaign in Kiruna, Sweden, where teams will test the vertical landing capabilities of a reusable launcher stage prototype. The landing phase is one of the most technically challenging elements of reusability, requiring precise control, advanced propulsion systems, reliable structures and extensive testing under demanding conditions.
Beyond the flight demonstration, SALTO partners are developing and maturing several technologies that will contribute to future European reusable launch systems. The upcoming webinar will highlight progress in three key areas: reusable launcher tank architecture, retropropulsion and thermal protection testing, and sustainable propulsion technologies.
Designing the next generation of reusable launcher tanks
Propellant storage systems are fundamental elements of every launch vehicle. For reusable rockets, tank technologies must meet additional requirements related to durability, performance and repeated flight operations.
Experts from MT Aerospace will present developments in reusable launcher tank architecture, including different tank concepts, their applications and the engineering challenges involved in designing systems suitable for future reusable launch vehicles.
The presentation will also introduce the SALTO tank concept and explain how these developments support Europe’s long-term reusable launcher capabilities.
Speakers:
Sebastien Drulhon, Project Manager at MT Aerospace
Moritz Ellerbeck, System Engineer at MT Aerospace
Testing reusable flight technologies under extreme conditions
Reusable rockets experience highly complex aerodynamic and thermal environments, particularly during return and landing phases. Understanding these conditions is essential to ensure safe recovery and future re-flight operations.
During the webinar, experts from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) will share insights into experimental activities supporting reusable launcher development, including retropropulsion measurements in wind tunnel environments, high-enthalpy thermal protection system testing and hot-gas retropropulsion experiments.
These activities contribute to validating the technologies required to manage the demanding conditions experienced by reusable launcher stages.
Speaker:
Pawel Goldyn, Research Scientist at DLR
Developing greener propulsion technologies for future missions
The future of space transportation is not only focused on reusability — it also depends on making propulsion systems more sustainable.
ArianeGroup will present SALTO’s work on green propellant thruster technologies, covering propulsion system developments, thruster design, structural analysis, testing activities and results from hot firing tests.
These innovations support the development of more environmentally responsible space transportation solutions while contributing to Europe’s technological independence.
Speaker:
Ulrich Gotzig, Emeritus Expert Orbital Propulsion and R&T Manager Alternative Propellants at ArianeGroup
Building Europe’s reusable launcher future
By bringing together expertise from across the European space sector, SALTO is accelerating the development of technologies needed for the next generation of reusable launch vehicles.
From vertical landing demonstrations to advanced propulsion, tank systems and testing capabilities, the project represents an important step towards more efficient, sustainable and competitive European access to space.
The webinar “Advancing Reusable Rocket Technologies” is open to professionals, researchers, students and everyone interested in the future of space innovation.
Date: 26 June 2026
Time: 10:00–11:30 CET
Location: Online via Webex
Learn more about the webinar