PLD Space, a leading European player in private space access, has made significant strides in the first half of 2025 on its MIURA 5 reusable orbital launcher. These advancements encompass both critical hardware development and the foundational infrastructure for its inaugural launch from the European spaceport CSG in French Guiana.
The engineering teams at PLD Space have been intensely focused on an agile iteration of the launcher’s design. This dynamic approach integrates real-time test data to not only maximize performance but also to ensure robust vehicle reliability. By progressing all subsystems in parallel, the company is rapidly manufacturing and rigorously testing components to meet its ambitious 2026 launch deadline.
Recent months have seen the successful manufacturing and integration of critical metal structures, including propellant tanks for both the first and second stages. Alongside these, advanced composite material components, such as the fairing and interstage, have also been produced. These elements have undergone a battery of stringent validation tests, including structural integrity assessments at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures, compression, bending, and separation tests, all confirming their readiness for flight.
Concurrently, the propulsion team has been deeply engaged in the manufacturing and testing of the TEPREL-C engines. A key focus has been the validation of advanced production processes like electrodeposition and additive manufacturing for critical engine components. These rigorous tests are essential to guaranteeing the optimal performance of the main engine hardware, setting the stage for the upcoming flight qualification campaign.
On the operational front, June marked a pivotal moment with the signing of a development contract for the MIURA 5 Launch Complex at CSG with the French space agency CNES. This agreement greenlights the commencement of civil works in the ELM-Diamant area of CSG this summer. The goal is to ensure a fully operational launch infrastructure well in advance of MIURA 5’s maiden flight, currently targeted for 2026.
These comprehensive advancements reinforce PLD Space’s position at the forefront of European space technology. By leveraging strong internal industrial capabilities and a competitive technological proposal, PLD Space is actively shaping the future of European launch capabilities.
Read PLD Space’s official announcement and watch the video about it here.
