Callisto (National Center of Space Research)
Photo Credit: CNES/Orbital Dreams
The Callisto, manufactured by National Center of Space Research established in 1961, undertook its inaugural launch on an unknown date, is reusable and is active.
Callisto has 0 successful launches and 0 failed attempts, with a cumulative tally of 0 launches, currently with 1 pending launches in the pipeline.
Callisto is a demonstrator designed to conduct flight testing and mature the complex technologies required to return a launcher to Earth, as well as refurbishment operations between flights, and to precisely cost an operational European launcher with a reusable first stage (it is not intended to become an operational launcher). Standing for “Cooperative Action Leading to Launcher Innovation in Stage Toss-back Operations”, Callisto is a project being pursued with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the German space agency DLR. A large number of international contractors are also contributing to the experiment, among them ArianeGroup and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
- Length: 13 m
- Diameter: 1.1 m
Manufacturer
National Center of Space Research (CNES)
CEO: François Jacq
The National Center of Space Research, or CNES, is a French National Agency in charge of France's space program. In partnership with the US and Russia, they have put 10 people in space. CNES works in tandem with the larger ESA to develop the Ariane 5 and work on other probes and satellites. They are working with Germany to develop a cheaper and more efficient reusable rocket, which hopefully will be ready to fly by 2026.
