Splashdown is a mission’s last gate. Getting it right protects the vehicle, the payloads, and one day, people.

We closed a focused campaign at CNR - Istituto di Ingegneria del Mare (INM) in the “Umberto Pugliese” towing tank, a 470 m by 13.5 m by 6.5 m facility. From 13 to 28 January 2026 we validated the Nyx splashdown model that underpins certification.

A 1:4-scale mock-up, 135 kg, fiberglass structure, built with Poli-Model Srl, was released at precisely varied heights and speeds in calm water for maximum repeatability. We instrumented the exterior with pressure sensors and logged tri-axis acceleration and attitude via accelerometers and a gyroscope. All channels were time-synced on an onboard computer to enable frame-by-frame correlation.

Model-to-test correlation is underway to refine hydrodynamic coefficients, update front-shield and primary-structure margins, and tighten recovery acceptance criteria. CNR-INM managed the campaign end-to-end with TEC engineers embedded for planning, instrumentation, and daily turnarounds.
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Rome provided scale, control, and metrology at the right moment to close the loop with parachute deployment and terminal descent.