The company from Elche PLD Space, which develops and manufactures space rockets to launch small satellites into orbithas signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the European space transport operator, Arianespace, the company that markets the payload for the ‘Ariane’ and ‘Vega’ space rockets.
According to the Spanish company, with this alliance, both companies undertake to develop joint commercial offers to increase the commercial capacity of access to space through the offer of services developed by PLD Space. The agreement allows PLD Space to offer its small satellite launch services to Arianespace customers, thus enhancing European access to space.
Ezequiel Sánchez, Executive President of PLD Space, explains that “collaboration with strategic partners such as Arianespace is further proof of our commitment to increase the capacity of commercial access to space in Europe at a time when it is more necessary than ever. In addition, This agreement consolidates PLD Space’s position as a leading player in the European space industry and reinforces the growing commercial potential of our business.”
According to the Alicante-based startup, this agreement will provide customers with launch solutions optimized for the deployment of small constellations or the combination of multiple small satellites. “The combination of the family of launchers from PLD Space and Arianespace offers the SmallSat community the guarantee of reaching any orbit in the world at any time,” the company notes.
Waiting for MIURA1
PLD Space is at a particularly important moment with the imminent launch of the first MIURA 1 SN1 experimental flight, which had to be postponed on May 31 due to weather conditions.
MIURA 1 is the first private micro launcher developed in Europe. It has been designed entirely by PLD Space as a technology demonstrator with recovery and reuse requirements that only 3 companies have achieved in space history. This first demonstration flight is a turning point for the development of the MIURA 5 microsatellite launcher, as the MIURA 1 SN1 mission will validate much of the design and technology that will serve as the basis for the development of the MIURA 5 orbital launcher, whose flight inaugural is scheduled for 2025.
After him, the company’s plans are to gradually increase until reaching 10 to 12 annual releases by the end of this decade.
Pitchers for France and Scotland
Arianespace has signed similar agreements with two other companies specializing in the transport of European microsatellites in addition to the Spanish one. These are the French company Dark and the Scottish company Orbex, although these companies are working on taking loads of smaller dimensions and weight into space than those of PLD Space, which plans to be able to transport up to 500 kilograms in its rockets.
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