Eu-BEST Delivers Modular Rocket Test Bench in Mainz
Mainz – October 29, 2026 -- The Eu-BEST (European Bench for Engine and Stage Testing) project has delivered a modular, mobile rocket test bench, funded with EUR 4.96 million under the EU's Horizon Europe programme. The project closed after final acceptance of the complete test stand at the Mainz site of OHB Digital Connect.
Eu-BEST started on 1 November 2023. Representatives of the European Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA), French space agency CNES, German aerospace centre DLR and the project partners attended the closing.
Test bench is built to move between sites and launcher types
The interoperable stand can be deployed at different locations and for different launch systems. Development, qualification and acceptance tests drive cost, schedules and market entry of new launchers, and demand for test capacity is rising as European launcher programmes multiply and large satellite constellations need more launches.