All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
Spain is set to invest 169 million euros in the Miura 5 launcher being developed by PLD Space as part of the European Launcher Challenge (ELC) initiated by the ESA.
PLD Space has received support from the Spanish government for the Miura 1, which is the first suborbital rocket, and is now developing the Miura 5 through a public procurement funded by the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
ESA shortlisted Isar Aerospace, Rocket Factory Augsburg, PLD Space, MaiaSpace, and Orbex for the next phase of the European Launcher Challenge.
Spain will support the commercialization of the Miura 5 launcher by PLD Space with an investment of 169 million euros through the European Launcher Challenge of the ESA.
PLD Space is among five preselected companies for the European Launcher Challenge.
PLD Space has presented the first integrated unit of the Miura 5, the Qualification Model 1 (QM1), marking a decisive advance in the validation campaign of the orbital launcher.
In parallel to the QM1, PLD Space is conducting qualification tests of other subsystems at its testing facilities in Teruel, including integrated engine tests in the new three-cell test stand and structural validation of tanks.
The development, manufacturing, and qualification campaign of the Miura 5 is progressing robustly thanks to PLD Space's vertical integration model, the technological legacy of Miura 1, and its own industrial capacity.
A second qualification unit will be ready by the end of December 2023, and PLD Space will present the flight-ready rocket in the first quarter of 2026 for the launch campaign in Kourou.
This development schedule represents an unprecedented cadence in Europe, reinforcing PLD Space's position as the company that has developed an orbital launcher in the shortest time, just two years, with the highest quality standards.
PLD Space plans to complete three integrated units of the Miura 5 within just five months.
PLD Space aims to become the first private company to launch from the ELM-Diamant area of the historic European port, owned by CNES, the French space agency.
Juan Carlos Cortés Pulido believes that the Spanish reusable launcher Miura 5 from PLD Space will be one of the future European launch systems.
PLD Space is actively qualifying all launcher subsystems for flight and forecasts its first launch campaign in early 2026.
By expanding its infrastructure, PLD Space strengthens its status as a leader in European space transport and supports Spain and Europe's space sovereignty.
PLD Space applies the approach 'Test like you fly' to ensure every critical launcher subsystem undergoes assessments that replicate flight conditions.
The proximity of Teruel to PLD Space's Elche headquarters ensures swift coordination between teams, cutting component validation intervals to one day.
PLD Space has constructed its facilities and tailored procedures over a decade, setting the foundation for its present testing system.
PLD Space's facilities are essential for developing and qualifying the TEPREL-C engine, which is the most powerful privately built engine in Europe with a thrust of 190 kN.
The philosophy 'Test like you fly' defines PLD Space's development strategy, testing each subsystems of the launcher under flight-equivalent conditions.