![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/PLD_Space%252C_Elche%252C_Alicante%252C_Espa%25C3%25B1a%252C_2018_05.jpg/640px-PLD_Space%252C_Elche%252C_Alicante%252C_Espa%25C3%25B1a%252C_2018_05.jpg&w=640&q=50)
PLD Space
Private Spanish launch services provider / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about PLD Space?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Payload Aerospace S.L. (PLD Space) is a Spanish company developing two partially-reusable launch vehicles called Miura 1 and Miura 5.
![]() | |
![]() Headquarters of PLD Space in Elche, Spain | |
Company type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Launch service provider |
Founded | 2011; 13 years ago (2011) |
Founder | Raúl Torres, Raúl Verdú and José Enrique Martínez |
Fate | Active |
Headquarters | |
Key people | Raúl Torres (co-founder & CEO); Raúl Verdú (co-founder & COO) |
Products | TEPREL rocket engine Miura 1 rocket Miura 5 rocket |
Services | Suborbital & orbital rocket launch; Rocket engine testing |
Number of employees | 200 (May 2024) |
Website | pldspace.com |
Miura 1 is designed as a sounding rocket for sub-orbital flights to perform research or technology development in microgravity environment and/or in the upper atmosphere. Furthermore, Miura 1 is also serving as the technological demonstrator of the orbital launcher Miura 5. Miura 5 will provide orbital launch capabilities for small payloads such as CubeSats, that need a flexible and dedicated launch vehicle and therefore can not fly with traditional launch vehicles. It is being designed to deliver a total payload mass up to 900 kg (2,000 lb) into low Earth orbit.[1][2]
Recovery of the first stage would be by the use of parachutes and splashdown for re-use.