CNES announced on October 29, 2026, that it had begun ground qualification tests for Callisto at the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. The campaign uses a full-scale mockup built by CIPAL to check ground systems, vehicle-to-ground interfaces and operating procedures. CNES
A full-scale mockup stands at the former Diamant site
The mockup is at the former Diamant launch facility, where the campaign tests the connections between Callisto and the launch base. It is ground qualification work, not a flight test.
Six antennas check communications with the launch base
CNES planned an initial one-week communications campaign using six antennas in the mockup’s flight configuration. The setup interacts with launch-base infrastructure, including radar, to check communications during takeoff and, especially, descent. CNES
Why CNES is testing connected systems together
The campaign validates ground systems, vehicle-to-ground interfaces and operating procedures at the same time. CNES says this approach is intended to optimize development cost and schedule. CNES identifies the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as Callisto partners.
Ground qualification is planned to continue into 2027
CNES said the ground qualification campaign would continue into 2027, with the flight vehicle expected to arrive afterward.
