PLD Space, the Spanish aerospace company, visited the site in Kourou, French Guiana, where the future MIURA 5 orbital rocket could launch. The team toured CNES facilities, following CNES announcements about a pre-selection for MIURA 5 to fly in 2024 from the European spaceport cluster. The visit also offered an opportunity to deepen plans for activities at the spaceport.
A delegation from the MIURA 5 program explored the Guyana Space Center in Kourou this week. They observed the areas CNES plans to open to small European launch operators through a public call. As announced by CNES President and CEO Philippe Baptiste, PLD Space is among seven European companies shortlisted to operate on the site known as Diamant.
During the visit, the Spanish firm advanced negotiations toward a preliminary contract with the French space agency. Raul Verdu, co-founder and chief business development officer of PLD Space, met with Marie-Anne Clair, director of the Guyana Space Center.
Verdu remarked that since 2018 PLD Space has expressed interest in launching MIURA 5 from the CSG for commercial missions. He noted pride in supporting new use of the historic spaceport and in expanding European access to space.
Clair echoed the sentiment, highlighting support for new European players and their entry to space via access to the European spaceport at Kourou.
PLD Space has worked with CNES since 2018 to leverage the CSG, which has operated since 1968 as the main spaceport for MIURA 5. The site, used by Ariane and Vega, is positioned to host additional European launch vehicles, strengthening Europe’s independence in space access.
Looking ahead, PLD Space outlined a plan for 2024 to begin MIURA 5 flight missions from French Guiana, with a schedule of roughly 10 to 12 launches per year. The company is advancing design and construction for the Kourou launch infrastructure and managing operational needs.
Verdu emphasized the company’s vision: the future of PLD Space and MIURA 5 should be anchored in one of the world’s most important spaceports, reinforcing a commitment to providing commercial launch services for small satellites from European soil.
Next steps for MIURA 1 and MIURA 5 are under consideration. PLD Space’s program remains on track, with the MIURA 1 suborbital qualification campaign underway at the Teruel test bench. Production of the MIURA 1 flight unit has begun, with a planned end-of-2022 launch from the El Arenosillo base in Huelva, which is under construction.
Concurrently, work continues on MIURA 5 design and development, with an expected mid-2024 flight. To reach this milestone, PLD Space operates out of facilities in Teruel and Elche, with a team surpassing 110 professionals, a number expected to grow to around 200 in the coming year.
PLD Space is recognized as a leading Spanish aerospace company and a reference for the development of reusable rockets in Europe. Its flagship programs include the suborbital MIURA 1 and the orbital MIURA 5, which aim to position Spain among the few nations capable of delivering small satellites into space.
One of the vessels used to produce PLD Space rockets is located in Elche, a facility that supports ongoing development and manufacturing.
With a decade of activity, PLD Space plans the MIURA 1 prototype launch in the latter half of 2022 and envisions the first true orbital mission for MIURA 5 in 2024. Based in Elche with technical facilities in Teruel and Huelva, the company has invested more than 45 million euros to promote its space program.
CNES, the National Center for Space Studies, is the French government agency responsible for designing and operating the country’s space program. It leads research in space science and engineering and serves as a center of excellence for space technologies and applications.
The Diamant launch complex at the Guiana Space Center acts as CNES’s chosen hub for micro-launches. The center offers shared facilities for multiple launchers, including access roads, power systems, and launcher-specific infrastructure such as launch tables and assembly buildings. The integration of international actors in French Guiana enables satellite launches for global operators, addressing essential space applications and strategic needs.