Spanish Space Startup PLD Space Launches First Suborbital Rocket.

Spanish Space Startup PLD Space Launches First Suborbital Rocket

Spanish space startup PLD Space launched its first suborbital rocket on October 6, 2023, from a test site in southwestern Spain. The rocket, named Miura 1, reached an altitude of 100 kilometers (62 miles) before splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean.

The launch was a major milestone for PLD Space, which is developing reusable rockets to launch small satellites and payloads into space. The company is one of a number of European startups that are competing to establish a commercial space launch industry in Europe.

The Miura 1 rocket is a single-stage rocket that is 41 feet (12.5 meters) tall and can carry up to 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of payload. The rocket is powered by a liquid propellant engine that is developed and manufactured by PLD Space.

The inaugural flight of the Miura 1 rocket was carrying a payload of scientific experiments from the German Center for Applied Space Technology and Microgravity. The experiments were designed to study the effects of microgravity on various materials and processes.

PLD Space is planning to conduct a second suborbital test flight of the Miura 1 rocket in early 2024. The company is also developing a larger rocket, called the Miura 5, which is designed to launch small satellites into orbit. The Miura 5 rocket is expected to make its first orbital flight in 2025.

The successful launch of the Miura 1 rocket is a significant step for the European space industry. PLD Space is the first European company to develop and launch a reusable rocket. The company's success is likely to attract further investment in the European commercial space launch industry.

The launch of the Miura 1 rocket is also a positive development for Spain's space program. Spain is a member of the European Space Agency (ESA), but the country has its own national space agency, called the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA). PLD Space is working closely with INTA to develop and launch its rockets.

The success of PLD Space is a reminder that Europe is emerging as a leading player in the global space industry. European companies are developing new technologies and services that are disrupting the traditional space market. The launch of the Miura 1 rocket is a sign that Europe is on the cusp of a new era of space exploration.