Latest news with #MIURA5
Zawya
14-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
PLD Space unveils the advanced industrialization plan for MIURA 5 and MIURA Next to its network of strategic partners
More than 100 representatives from PLD Space's national and international supply chain have participated in the Industry Days event held at the company's headquarters in Elche The company is executing this industrial flagship program with an investment of €50 million between 2024 and the first half of 2025, currently supported by an ecosystem of 397 key suppliers PLD Space has provided its collaborators with details on its integrated industrial model, the transition to serial production of MIURA 5, the initial development phases of MIURA Next, and the new infrastructure that will underpin its ambitious technological roadmap Elche (Spain). PLD Space, an international space services company with vertical integrated engineering and manufacturing, hosted the MIURA 5 Industry Days at its headquarters, a strategic event that brought together over 100 representatives from its supply chain across Spain and abroad. The goal: to share the advanced industrialization plan for MIURA 5 and MIURA Next, which will consolidate PLD Space's position as a European leader in access to space. During the event, PLD Space strengthened collaboration with its strategic national and international value chain, committed to the success of the MIURA program. 'The key to our business is providing reliable and scalable launch services with a clear market focus. To achieve this, we are forging strong, long-term alliances with our network of industrial partners' said Ezequiel Sánchez, Executive President of PLD Space. PLD Space detailed its manufacturing model based on a vertically integrated approach unique in Europe. The company designs, manufactures, tests, and operates all key subsystems of its launch vehicles internally within its own industrial, testing, and launch facilities. This industrial model enables PLD Space to ensure maximum technological reliability, control costs and timelines, and minimize risks in a highly competitive market. This strategy positions the MIURA program as a driving force for industry in Spain and Europe, as evidenced by its preselection by ESA for the European Launcher Challenge (ELC) last week. This strategic initiative, with funding of up to €169 million per company, represents a national opportunity to establish a Spanish leader energizing the launcher sector, supported by an integrated value chain currently comprising 397 key partners, predominantly located in Spain and Europe. A robust supply chain to lead satellite launches into space To meet the milestones of its roadmap, PLD Space is working to consolidate its global supplier network. Between 2024 and the first half of 2025, total investment in the MIURA 5 supply chain reached €50 million. "We are building relationships with our ecosystem of partners based on operational excellence and delivery at a competitive level in terms of timeframes and cost—unprecedented in Europe—without compromising the reliability of our rockets," Sánchez emphasised. From pre-series manufacturing to the goal of 32 MIURA 5 launchers per year by 2030 During the event, the company explained to its network of partners the transition to the serial production phase of MIURA 5. Following the success of the MIURA 1 demonstrator, which positioned PLD Space as the first private European company to launch a rocket into space on its first attempt, the company is advancing the development of the initial units of MIURA 5, set to fly from the European Spaceport CSG in Kourou (French Guiana), owned by CNES, starting in 2026. PLD Space's industrialization plan outlines a progression to reach 32 annual units of MIURA 5 by 2030. The company will go through an intermediate phase of semi-serial manufacturing of this vehicle before scaling up to full-scale production, scheduled for 2027. In parallel, it will begin manufacturing the first units of its MIURA Next launcher, capable of placing up to 13 tons into orbit. "Launch cadence and reliability are the keys to leadership. To ensure this, we have designed MIURA Next based on MIURA 5 technologies, following the same strategy as between MIURA 1 and MIURA 5. This way, our methods for producing engines, structures, or avionics are applicable to any launcher in our MIURA family, allowing us to scale and maintain production cadence at a fraction of the cost of current operators," highlighted Raúl Verdú, Co-Founder and Chief Business Development Officer of PLD Space. Additionally, to realize this vision, PLD Space plans to expand its manufacturing, testing, and launch infrastructure to support the serial production of MIURA 5, initiate production of MIURA Next, and develop the LINCE crewed capsule. About PLD Space PLD Space is an international company dedicated to transporting satellites and people into space, vertically integrating the engineering, testing, manufacturing, and operations of its reusable and sustainable rockets. Headquartered in Elche (Spain) and founded in 2011 by Raúl Torres and Raúl Verdú, PLD Space has established itself as a global benchmark in the small satellite launch sector. Its family of MIURA launchers and LINCE crewed capsule position the company as a leader in European technological sovereignty for space transportation, covering the full spectrum of space missions. With a team of more than 350 employees, PLD Space operates over 188,000 m² of facilities in Elche, Teruel (Spain), Kourou (French Guiana), and Duqm (Oman), enabling it to provide comprehensive satellite and payload launch services into space.
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
PLD Space preselected by ESA for the European Launcher Challenge
Funded with €169 million, the ELC is one of the largest space contracts ever involving Spain and will be awarded following ESA's Ministerial Conference in November PLD Space's proposal, fully aligned with its technological roadmap presented in October 2024, includes the MIURA 5 and its future large reusable launcher, MIURA Next Elche (Spain). PLD Space, an international space services company with vertical integrated engineering and manufacturing, has been preselected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to participate in the European Launcher Challenge (ELC), the largest European program aimed at fostering new sovereign launch capabilities on the continent. ESA officially launched the ELC this year as a strategic initiative that will award up to €169 million per company in its final phase. The program is structured in two components: contracts for launch services of ESA institutional missions between 2026 and 2030, and a development track requiring a demonstration of enhanced launch capacity by 2028. The final selection of companies will be announced at ESA's Ministerial Conference to be held in Bremen this November. A proposal fully aligned with PLD Space's technological roadmap PLD Space formally submitted its proposal to the European Launcher Challenge with a plan that perfectly aligns with its technological roadmap through 2030, which the company publicly presented on October 7, 2024 during its Beyond event—prior to ESA's announcement of the challenge. In this context, PLD Space has positioned the MIURA 5 as the first operational element of the program, and its future large reusable launcher, MIURA Next, as the second pillar to address Europe's institutional needs and ensure competitive, sustainable access to space. An industrial driving force for Europe and for Spain The MIURA program is a clear industrial driving force. Through ESA's preselection for the ELC, PLD Space represents a unique opportunity for Spain to have a national prime leading the launcher industry, with a value chain made up of 397 partners, largely anchored in Spain and across Europe. Moreover, the ELC exemplifies a new model of public-private collaboration in Europe, similar to what is already underway in Spain with the Aerospace PERTE program, under which the government—through CDTI—has awarded PLD Space €42 million to develop the country's first national launcher. ' The European Launcher Challenge marks a milestone for Europe's space industry, but it is also a unique national opportunity to have a Spanish prime leading launcher development. Our project directly impacts the entire value chain, mobilizes cutting-edge technology, and places Spain at the center of Europe's future access to space,' said Ezequiel Sánchez, Executive President of PLD Space. About PLD Space PLD Space is an international space services company with its own engineering and manufacturing. It is dedicated to transporting satellites and people to space, vertically integrating the engineering, testing, manufacturing, and operations of its reusable and sustainable rockets. Headquartered in Elche (Spain) and founded in 2011 by Raúl Torres and Raúl Verdú, PLD Space has established itself as a benchmark in the space launcher sector globally. Its MIURA family of launchers and its LINCE manned capsule position the company as a leader in European technological sovereignty in space transport, covering the entire range of space missions. With a team of more than 300 employees and more than 12,500 m² dedicated to advanced manufacturing, PLD Space manages facilities in Teruel, Kourou (French Guiana) and Duqm (Oman), allowing it to offer complete satellite launch services and other payloads to space. For more information: Maria Climent, Head of Communication at PLD Space Burson
Zawya
03-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
PLD Space and D-Orbit sign launch agreement for equatorial missions
D-Orbit will launch various payloads aboard MIURA 5, including its flagship ION Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV). The contract ensures continued access to flexible and efficient launch solutions tailored to the evolving needs of satellite operators worldwide. With this agreement, PLD Space has now fulfilled more than 80% of the slots in its manifest until 2027. Elche (Spain): PLD Space, an international space services company with vertical integrated engineering and manufacturing, has signed an agreement with D-Orbit, a global leader in space logistics and orbital transportation, to deploy satellites aboard MIURA 5 to equatorial orbit. With this, PLD Space has now fulfilled more than 80% of the slots in its manifest until 2027. With investment in space accelerating at an unprecedented rate -particularly in Southeast Asia and other geographies situated near the equator- PLD Space and D-Orbit are well positioned to capitalize on this growth. MIURA 5, launching from its strategic site at the CSG (Kourou, French Guiana), provides one of the few dedicated low-inclination launch opportunities available, offering customers direct access to equatorial orbits. This differentiates PLD Space from other major providers, whose standard offerings for many seeking access to space do not include this service. Currently, the niche is primarily served by one or two launch vehicles offering very low cadences, underscoring the importance of PLD Space's entry into this underserved market. Through this agreement, D-Orbit will fly payloads aboard MIURA 5, including its flagship ION Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV). D-Orbit provides logistics services to the space sector, including in-orbit satellite transportation with individual deployment into specific orbital slots, as well as in-space testing of hosted payloads. The company also offers satellite operators in-orbit storage and advanced computing capabilities. As the market leader in in-space logistics, D-Orbit has successfully deployed satellites into precise orbits through 17 ION missions to date. The contract with PLD Space ensures continued access to flexible and efficient launch solutions tailored to the evolving needs of satellite operators worldwide. 'From our launch complex in Kourou, French Guiana, and Duqm, Oman, we offer one of the widest ranges of orbital inclinators providing our customers with a significant competitive advantage,' said Raúl Verdú, CBDO and Co-founder at PLD Space. 'The agreement with D-Orbit strengthens our position as a leader, especially in markets that require reliable equatorial access, a capability that remains extremely limited in today's industry.' 'Working with PLD Space will allow us to expand our launch offering to equatorial missions, an option that is becoming increasingly interesting for our customers, enabling us to better meet their evolving needs while building a promising collaboration with PLD Space,' commented Matteo Lorenzoni, VP Commercial Strategy of D-Orbit. PLD Space is currently ramping-up the serial production for MIURA 5 units using the flight proven technology coming from MIURA 1, with the aim of starting its test flight campaign by the end of 2025. Commercial flights of MIURA 5 will begin in 2026 with the objective of scaling up to 30 launches per year by 2030. About PLD Space PLD Space is an international space services company with its own engineering and manufacturing. It is dedicated to transporting satellites and people to space, vertically integrating the engineering, testing, manufacturing, and operations of its reusable and sustainable rockets. Headquartered in Elche (Spain) and founded in 2011 by Raúl Torres and Raúl Verdú, PLD Space has established itself as a benchmark in the space launcher sector globally. Its MIURA family of launchers and its LINCE manned capsule position the company as a leader in European technological sovereignty in space transport, covering the entire range of space missions. With a team of more than 300 employees and more than 12,500 m² dedicated to advanced manufacturing, PLD Space manages facilities in Teruel, Kourou (French Guiana) and Duqm (Oman), allowing it to offer complete satellite launch services and other payloads to space. For more information: María Climent, Communications Manager at PLD Burson
Broadcast Pro
21-02-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Omani Etlaq Spaceport announces five test launches for 2025
Oman plans to launch five rockets from its emerging spaceport this year, beginning in April, with a dedicated fan zone set to open soon. Photo credit: Etlaq Spaceport Etlaq Spaceport, the first commercial spaceport in the Middle East and North Africa, has revealed plans for five test launches in 2025 during the Etlaq Launch Conference. These missions will focus on critical technology demonstrations, including controlled ascent and descent, landing systems, stage separation and fuel efficiency. Collaborating with international partners from Kuwait, the United Kingdom and New Zealand, Etlaq aims to position Oman as a key player in the global space industry while fostering international cooperation in space exploration. At the core of this initiative is the Genesis Programme, launched in 2024 to establish Omans national space launch heritage. Initially developed for the National Space Services Company's (NASCOM) experimental Duqm-1 mission, the programme will facilitate suborbital and experimental launches from 2025 to 2027, laying the foundation for future orbital operations. Etlaq reaffirmed its commitment to safety and sustainability, with the spaceports location in Wilayat Al Duqm providing a secure exclusion zone to ensure risk-free launches. Safety is our top priority. Every mission will undergo rigorous risk assessments to maintain operational integrity, an Etlaq spokesperson said. As part of broader efforts to advance Omans space sector, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NASCOM, granting the company 'Qualified Entity' status for spaceport development and operations. This agreement supports Omans vision to become a regional space hub, fostering private sector growth, foreign investment, and technology localization. In a major collaboration, Etlaq signed an agreement with Spanish launch service provider PLD Space to facilitate the launch of MIURA 5 from Oman. Additionally, an MoU with SatMENA will enable cooperation on ground station services and operational support for upcoming launches. Reflecting its growing global aspirations, Etlaq unveiled a refreshed brand identity, alongside a rebranding of the Oman Society for Astronomy and Space, signalling a new era for the nations space industry.
Zawya
21-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
PLD Space expands its global launch capacity with its second spaceport, Etlaq in Oman
Oman's spaceport, Etlaq, is ideal for PLD Space due to its strategic geographic location, access to commercially relevant orbits, logistical connections, and favorable weather conditions. The company also is exploring the opportunity that brings Etlaq for MIURA Next launch vehicle family. PLD Space expects to incorporate a third spaceport next year to meet the proximity needs of its customers in another global region. Muscat (Oman). PLD Space, an international space services company with vertical integrated engineering and manufacturing, has announced that the Etlaq spaceport in Oman will be its second global launch base for MIURA launch vehicle family. This infrastructure joins the company's Launch Complex at the CSG (Kourou, French Guiana), owned by CNES and ESA, thus expanding vehicle service deployment capabilities and increase commercial launch opportunities to meet the flight demand, especially for Middle East market. The company plans to incorporate a third spaceport in the coming year to address proximity needs in a new region of the world and ensure the MIURA 5 flight manifest. As a global 'multi-spaceport' company, PLD Space is committed to offering its customers greater proximity to launch bases and maximum flight availability, thus fulfilling the MIURA 5 roadmap, which includes 30 flights by 2030. To meet this manifest, the company needs to have operational launch capacity for three spaceports located in three different regions of the globe. With its Launch Complex at the European CSG spaceport, PLD Space covers the Western market, primarily America and Europe. Now, the company has signed a strategic agreement with Oman's Etlaq spaceport, enabling it to meet the needs of its customers in the Eastern market, such as the Middle East. In this way, PLD Space becomes the first major operator to launch from this spaceport. The announcement was made on Thursday, February 20th, at the first annual Etlaq Launch Conference (ELC 2025), held in Muscat (Oman). The Co-founder and CBDO of PLD Space, Raúl Verdú, signed the agreement with the Founder & CEO of Etlaq, His Highness Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said, at an event attended by distinguished figures from the local and regional space sector, along with government officials, experts, and executives from both local and international space companies, and representatives from academic institutions. "Given the current shortage of launch infrastructure, we are excited to announce this strategic collaboration with Etlaq, which presents itself as a strategic solution to meet the needs of our customers globally," says Verdú. "We will begin working with Etlaq on the design, engineering, and construction of our launch base with the goal of performing the first MIURA 5 flight from there in 2027." Due to its strategic geographic location, this launch infrastructure is an excellent solution for PLD Space's customer service. Located in Duqm (southeastern coast of Oman), it is a highly flexible spaceport with access to all commercially relevant orbits. Its proximity to the equator provides higher efficiency for low-inclination orbits like GEO, as well as for medium inclinations like the orbit of the current International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, it allows direct access to high-inclination orbits such as Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) and Polar. His Highness Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said, Founder and CEO of Etlaq, commented on the agreement: 'We are proud to reach this milestone with PLD Space. This collaboration with PLD Space demonstrates the increasing role of Oman in the global space sector. By working with international launch providers, we aim to enhance our capabilities and contribute to the growing demand for flexible, efficient, and well-positioned spaceports. We look forward to continuing to build partnerships that strengthen Etlaq's role as a key player in the industry.' Etlaq offers other differential advantages, such as its excellent logistical connections with PLD Space's headquarters in Elche (Spain), drying stable weather conditions, and ample ocean downrange for safety. Additionally, this infrastructure is suitable for launching the entire MIURA rocket family, including crewed missions of its LINCE capsule, making this collaboration a short- and long-term endeavor. PLD Space is also committed to generating local value, following the same approach as in other regions where it maintains infrastructure. The company plans to create high-skilled jobs in the area, as well as establish a high value-added supply chain, which will help strengthen the efforts Oman has been making in the space industry for several years. 'We are excited to announce this strategic collaboration with Etlaq, the result of years of joint effort," says Raúl Verdú. "This decision reflects our commitment to listening to our customers and adapting our services to their needs, particularly their demand for greater proximity to launch bases. The partnership with Etlaq enhances our flexibility and complements our existing services, reinforcing our ability to deliver on the promise of 'Any Orbit, Any Time, Any Satellite.' With expanded from equatorial orbits to dedicated inclination missions including SSO missions launching to the South, we are providing the solutions our customers have been seeking.' About PLD Space PLD Space is an international space services company with its own engineering and manufacturing. It is dedicated to transporting satellites and people to space, vertically integrating the engineering, testing, manufacturing, and operations of its reusable and sustainable rockets. Headquartered in Elche (Spain) and founded in 2011 by Raúl Torres and Raúl Verdú, PLD Space has established itself as a benchmark in the space launcher sector globally. Its MIURA family of launchers and its LINCE manned capsule position the company as a leader in European technological sovereignty in space transport, covering the entire range of space missions. With a team of more than 300 employees and more than 12,500 m² dedicated to advanced manufacturing, PLD Space manages facilities in Teruel, Kourou (French Guiana) and Duqm (Oman), allowing it to offer complete satellite launch services and other payloads to space. For more information: Maria Climent, Head of Communication at PLD Space Burson 618 074 286 About Etlaq Etlaq Spaceport is the first commercial spaceport in the Middle East and North Africa. Strategically located in Wilayat Al Duqm, the spaceport benefits from its proximity to the equator, offering enhanced launch efficiency and access to a wide range of orbital inclinations. Etlaq provides dedicated infrastructure for suborbital and orbital launches, with multiple launch complexes, mission control facilities, and integration capabilities designed to support commercial satellite deployment, research missions, and emerging space technologies. As Oman's gateway to space, Etlaq is committed to fostering international collaborations, advancing regional space capabilities, and supporting the global launch industry. For more information: info@
