TheTechno Optimist.

Miura 5PLD Space—ESA signs first major European Launcher Challenge contract with PLD Space: €158.9M for Miura 5 launches and orbital servicesMiura 5PLD Space—PLD Space secures additional €108M in Series C funding extension, bringing total Series C to €288MMiura 5PLD Space—PLD Space raises €180M (Spain's biggest space funding round) to scale Miura 5 production toward 30+ annual launches by 2030

PLD Space

Miura 5 reusable launcher, European small satellite launch

ESprivateest. 2011pld.space (opens pld.space)Checked 11 Oct

The brief

Analyst view
  • Founded 2011 by Torres, Verdú, Martínez to address Europe's small-satellite launch gap.
  • Series C €180M (Mar 2026) led by Mitsubishi Electric + Spain backing; extended €108M (Sep 2026). Total raised €488M.
  • ESA signed €158.9M Launcher Challenge contract (Aug 2026) for Miura 5 launch services.

Technical approach

As reported
Two-stage design

Orbital capability with reusability

Miura 5 is a two-stage rocket 35.7 m tall with partial reusability; the first stage is designed to be recovered and reused, reducing per-launch costs.

Payload capacity

1,080 kg to LEO

1.08 tons to LEO; ideal for small satellite constellations and CubeSats.

Production scale

High-rate manufacturing

Target 30+ launches per year by 2030; requires scaled manufacturing and supply chains.

Launch site

European spaceport in French Guiana

Miura 5 will launch from Kourou, French Guiana, which is ESA's primary launch facility and offers equatorial access for optimal Earth orbit placement.

Primer