Overview

Spanish aerospace startup PLD Space is making waves in the space industry with bold plans to develop larger, reusable launch vehicles and a crewed spacecraft. The company recently shared its vision at an event held at their Elche, Spain, facilities on October 7, coinciding with the anniversary of their successful Miura 1 suborbital rocket launch.

Current Projects

Currently focused on their Miura 5 rocket, which can deliver approximately 500 kilograms to a sun-synchronous orbit, PLD Space aims to have their first Miura 5 ready for launch at the Guiana Space Center by late 2025, with liftoff expected in early 2026. While initial Miura 5 missions will be expendable, the company plans to incorporate a recovery system similar to that of SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

Future Plans

PLD Space also unveiled plans for the Miura Next, a medium-class rocket capable of lifting up to 13,580 kilograms to an orbit akin to the International Space Station (ISS) and nearly 4,600 kilograms to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The Miura Next will have derivatives, including Miura Next Heavy and Miura Next Super Heavy, designed for larger payloads and interplanetary missions.

Crewed Spacecraft Development

Beyond launch vehicles, PLD Space is also developing Lince, a crewed spacecraft designed to transport four to five astronauts to low Earth orbit. A mockup of the capsule was showcased at the event, indicating a commitment to actual engineering over mere concepts.

Funding Challenges

Despite the excitement, funding remains a significant hurdle for PLD Space. Having secured 155 million euros ($170 million), they intend to leverage these funds for Miura 5 development. However, developing Miura Next and Lince is expected to require an additional 700 million euros.

Strategic Vision for Europe

The company’s aspirations go beyond commercial targets, aiming to elevate Europe’s competitive standing in the global space race against the United States and China.