PLD Space

Overview PLD Space is a Spanish launch company developing reusable small‑launch vehicles and propulsion systems. Founded in 2011, the company designs, manufactures, tests, and operates the MIURA family of rockets from facilities in Elche (Alicante) and Teruel, Spain, with planned orbital launch operations from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. Launch Vehicles • MIURA 1 (suborbital): A single‑stage, liquid‑propellant technology demonstrator and research platform powered by the TEPREL‑B engine (LOX/RP‑1). MIURA 1 flew successfully on October 7, 2023 from the El Arenosillo launch site (Huelva), marking Europe’s first fully private rocket launch. The vehicle supports microgravity and materials‑science experiments and recovery/inspection for reusability development. • MIURA 5 (orbital, in development): A two‑stage, partially reusable small‑satellite launcher using five TEPREL‑C engines on the first stage and a vacuum‑optimized TEPREL‑C on the second stage (LOX/RP‑1). Target performance is up to ~540 kg to a 500‑km sun‑synchronous orbit, with higher capacity to low‑inclination LEO when mission‑optimized. Initial demonstration flights are targeted for 2026 from the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), with a roadmap to commercial service thereafter. Propulsion and Test Infrastructure • TEPREL engines: PLD Space develops the TEPREL family (B for MIURA 1; C for MIURA 5), advancing through hot‑fire campaigns and component qualification. • Teruel test site: The company operates what it describes as Europe’s largest private launcher engine test facility at Teruel Airport, enabling rapid iteration for TEPREL‑C and stage‑level testing. • Manufacturing: Vertically integrated production for structures, tanks, avionics, and engines, with semi‑serial build processes planned for MIURA 5 to support a higher flight cadence. Launch Sites and Ground Segment • Suborbital: El Arenosillo (Huelva, Spain) for MIURA 1 missions and recovery operations. • Orbital: A dedicated MIURA 5 complex is being developed at the Guiana Space Centre (Kourou), at the historic ELM‑Diamant area, with pad, integration, and operations infrastructure sized for frequent small‑launch campaigns. Programs and Partnerships (selected) • European Launcher Challenge: Preselected by ESA under the European Launcher Challenge initiative to expand Europe’s sovereign access to space. • Commercial: Agreements with constellation operators and mission brokers for rideshare and dedicated launches on MIURA 5, including equatorial‑orbit services. • Institutional: Collaboration with CNES for the CSG launch site and participation in European programs that support launcher industrialization and technology maturation. Outlook PLD Space is progressing from suborbital technology demonstrations to orbital launch services with MIURA 5. Near‑term focus areas include engine and stage qualification at Teruel, completion of the MIURA 5 launch complex in French Guiana, and execution of initial demonstration flights in 2026, followed by a ramp‑up to commercial cadence later in the decade.