Eu-BEST reaches a major milestone : universal rocket engine test building blocks ready for hot-fire testing !
The successful integration of the test bench’s main subsystems and the efficient installation and dismantling of the infrastructure mark a decisive step in the development of the Eu-BEST modular and mobile testing concept.
Mainz, Germany - October 2026
How can rocket engine testing infrastructure become more flexible, adaptable and cost-efficient? This is the question at the heart of Eu-BEST (European Bench for Engine and Stage Testing), a European initiative developing a modular and mobile approach to rocket engine and stage testing.
The project has reached an important milestone with the successful completion of interface testing at OHB Digital Connect’s facilities in Mainz, Germany. This campaign brought together the bench’s primary subsystems to validate their interoperability and verify the practical advantages of its standardized architecture.
A successful step towards an integrated testing infrastructure
During the testing phase, the main subsystems were installed and interconnected, bringing together the mechanical structure, thrust measurement system, fluid infrastructure, LOX (liquid oxygen) and liquid methane tanks, electrical cabinets and measurement systems.
The successful interface tests marked an important step in validating how these elements integrate within the overall infrastructure. The test sequence also included a virtual hot-fire simulation to assess the system’s response without conducting a physical engine firing.
Demonstrating the practical benefits of the design, the bench was assembled, interconnected, and subsequently dismantled within a short timeframe-confirming its potential for rapid deployment and relocation across different testing sites.
What makes the Eu-BEST test bench different?
Eu-BEST explores an approach to rocket testing built around three key principles: modularity, mobility and adaptability.
Rather than relying on fixed, single-application ground installations, Eu-BEST offers an adaptable framework capable of accommodating diverse engine configurations, propellants, and testing protocols.
⚙️ High-performance testing capabilities
Thrust capacity up to 500 kN
Thrust vectoring up to 6°
Wide operating range for LOX and liquid methane with scalable flow rates, pressures, and test durations
Full six-component measurement of thrust forces and moments in real time
🔧 Designed for operational flexibility
Universal interfaces for engines up to 3.5m in diameter, 2m in length and 2,000 kg
Flexible fluid interfaces, with potential adaptability to other propellants beyond LOX and methane
Virtual testing & commissioning to support system integration and validation
Designed for high testing cadence, lower costs and shorter lead times
A European collaboration
The Eu-BEST consortium would like to thank all its partners for their continued
commitment, the Advisory Board - including representatives from DLR, ESA and CNES - for its expert guidance, and the in-kind contributors for their valuable feedback.
Special thanks go to the European Commission for its funding and support under the Horizon Europe program, making this step forward in European testing capability possible
Looking ahead !
With interface testing successfully completed, Eu-BEST now moves towards its final project review with the European Commission, scheduled for December 2026.
As Europe's launcher ecosystem expands with both institutional and commercial programs, responsive and cost-effective ground segment solutions are more critical than ever. The achievements in Mainz demonstrate that standardized, agile test architectures are ready to support Europe's independent access to space.
Developing a rocket engine or stage, or looking to optimize future testing campaigns? We welcome discussions with industry stakeholders and potential future users interested in the approach and the lessons developed through the project.
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