Spain's PLD Space Develops Reusable MIURA 5 Rocket
2026-06-07 15:22
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en.Wedoany.com Reported - Spanish space transportation company PLD Space is developing the MIURA 5, a reusable orbital launch vehicle designed for dedicated and rideshare launch services for small satellites. The rocket aims to provide reliable, customized, and high-frequency access to space for commercial, institutional, and defense customers, covering a wide range of target orbits.

PLD Space advances MIURA 5 as a reusable orbital launch vehicle for small satellite missions

The MIURA 5 architecture is built around a two-stage reusable launch system optimized for small satellite deployment. According to PLD Space, the rocket offers flexible mission configurations, allowing customers to access orbit through dedicated missions or rideshare opportunities, meeting the growing global demand for rapid and cost-effective orbital transportation services in the small satellite market.

Reusability is a core technical feature of the MIURA 5. The rocket incorporates recovery technologies derived from the company's MIURA 1 program, which served as a technology demonstrator for the orbital launch vehicle. PLD Space states that the data and technologies validated by MIURA 1 have significantly advanced the development of MIURA 5, reducing technical risks and accelerating the qualification of key subsystems.

The launch vehicle employs a two-stage liquid propellant architecture, powered by engine technologies developed in-house by PLD Space. The first stage handles primary ascent performance, while the upper stage performs orbital insertion and mission-specific deployment operations. This architecture supports multiple satellite deployment scenarios and maintains operational flexibility across various orbital missions. Beyond the rocket itself, PLD Space integrates the MIURA 5 development into a broader industrial strategy focused on scalable manufacturing, launch infrastructure, and high-cadence operations. The company is advancing launch facilities, production capabilities, and subsystem qualification plans to support future commercial launch services.

A key objective of the MIURA 5 program is to enhance independent access to space for small satellite operators through a reusable and operationally efficient launch architecture. PLD Space aims to combine reusable technology, proprietary propulsion systems, and dedicated launch services to increase launch flexibility while lowering the barrier to orbit for emerging satellite constellations and space missions. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Elche, Spain, PLD Space specializes in developing reusable launch vehicles and orbital transportation technologies, with its technology portfolio including the MIURA series of launch vehicles.

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