PLD Space Starts System-Level Tests on Miura 5 Orbital Rocket
The Spanish launch provider has built its first three Miura 5 vehicles and begun integrated testing ahead of a planned 2027 demonstration flight.
Key points
- PLD Space has constructed three Miura 5 rockets, with two designated for qualification testing and one for flight.
- System-level testing includes wet dress rehearsals and static fire tests of the fully assembled second stage in Teruel.
- The first demonstration flight is scheduled for the first half of 2027 from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.
Spanish launch company PLD Space announced that it has initiated system-level testing of its Miura 5 orbital rocket, marking a significant milestone in its development program. According to a statement from the Elche-based firm, the company has now completed construction of its first three Miura 5 vehicles. Two of these units are qualification models intended for ground testing, while the third is the primary vehicle designated for its inaugural orbital flight, which is currently under assembly.
Building the three rockets simultaneously allows engineers to apply lessons learned from qualification tests directly to the flight hardware. The central focus of the current testing phase is a fully assembled second stage located at PLD Space’s test site in Teruel, eastern Spain. This stage integrates the structural components, electronics, fuel systems, control mechanisms, and the main engine into a single vertical unit for comprehensive evaluation.
Testing Progress and Infrastructure
The second stage in Teruel will undergo a wet dress rehearsal, which involves a practice countdown using actual propellants, followed by a static fire test where the engine operates while the stage is secured to the ground. These procedures are designed to mitigate risks prior to the first demonstration flight, which PLD Space plans to conduct in the first half of 2027. The company also reported completing tests on the in-flight separation mechanism for the two rocket stages and validated two test versions of the payload-protecting nose cone.
To support this accelerated timeline, PLD Space has expanded its physical infrastructure. The company operates 17,000 square meters of factory space in Elche and maintains ten test stands in Teruel. This facility includes a newly constructed 10.2-meter stand specifically designed to test complete second stages. According to chief executive and co-founder Raúl Torres, manufacturing three vehicles in parallel accelerates the learning process for the engineering team.
Supply Chain and Launch Preparations
PLD Space has manufactured seven complete engines and 13 fuel tanks, including the liquid-oxygen tanks required for both stages of the first-flight rocket. The company stated that flight electronics are now ready for four complete rockets. Financially, the program is supported by a €288 million Series C funding round and selection for the European Space Agency’s European Launcher Challenge. PLD Space reported spending €42.7 million across 493 suppliers to date.
Preparations are also underway at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana, the designated launch site for Miura 5. The company has received approximately 60 containers of ground equipment and is collaborating with the French space agency, CNES, on launch safety procedures. Concurrently, PLD Space is testing launch pad equipment, including the strongback for erecting the rocket, clamps for securing it until liftoff, and utility lines for power and fuel. The company previously flew its smaller suborbital test rocket, Miura 1, in October 2023.
What should you do?
Security and technology professionals monitoring the commercial space sector should track PLD Space’s testing milestones for insights into European launch vehicle development. Organizations relying on orbital launch services should evaluate the timeline for Miura 5’s 2027 demonstration flight when planning future payload deployments. Stakeholders should also monitor CNES safety procedures for any updates regarding launch operations in French Guiana.
What to do and how to stay safe: PLD Space
- Monitor official statements from PLD Space for updates on the static fire and wet dress rehearsal test results.
- Review CNES safety procedure publications for any new requirements affecting launch operations in French Guiana.
- Assess supply chain dependencies if your organization relies on components from the 493 suppliers supporting the Miura 5 program.
- Track progress on the European Launcher Challenge for broader industry context on European launch vehicle development.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the first flight of the Miura 5 rocket planned?
PLD Space plans to conduct the first demonstration flight of the Miura 5 rocket in the first half of 2027.
How many Miura 5 rockets has PLD Space built so far?
The company has built its first three Miura 5 vehicles, with two used for testing and one designated for flight.
Where is PLD Space conducting system-level tests for the Miura 5?
System-level testing, including static fire tests, is being conducted at PLD Space’s test site in Teruel, eastern Spain.
