PLD Space has announced an investment of 10 million euros in the MIURA 5 Launch Complex at Guiana Space Center (CSG), Europe’s spaceport in Kourou (French Guiana), owned by the French Space Agency (CNES) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
With the first launch of its rocket at the end of 2025, PLD Space will become the first, non-institutional, launch operator that will go to orbit from this historical base.
PLD Space has always been committed to the CNES/CSG as the main site for MIURA 5 recurrent launches as the venue is the most competitive launch base in Europe and enables the launch vehicle to achieve any orbit.
Following the binding agreement signed with CNES in June 2023, PLD Space is ready to start the civil works of its Launch Complex in the ELM-Diamant site at CSG after summer 2024 with the support of the French Authorities. PLD Space plans to make a very efficient 10 million euros investment for the construction of the main launch site for MIURA 5, the necessary infrastructure during the launch campaign and preparations for the recovery of the rocket, a pioneer in the application of the reusability feature in its segment.
To this end, PLD Space has established a French subsidiary in Kourou and is formalizing with CNES the contracts that will allow it to initiate the first investments in Kourou. Furthermore, the company is firmly committed to the generation of sustainable local wealth and its plan is to incorporate industrial
suppliers from the region in order to consolidate a strong local supply chain.
PLD Space has a total of 15,765 square meters at the ELM-Diamant site. This area is divided between its own launch zone and a preparation area, comprising an integration hangar, a clean room, a control center, and both commercial and work offices.
CNES undertakes to provide the “common means” for MIURA 5 launch operations, such as road access, electricity supply, fire water network and access controls to the general complex. The French space agency also will make an area of the CNES/CSG available to PLD Space, where the launch zone will be located.
For its side, PLD Space undertakes to develop the specific means needed for MIURA 5’s integration, testing and launch operations at the CNES/CSG base. Project progress is on schedule and civil works for the complex are expected to start after this summer. The company’s plan targets mid-2025 for Launch Complex acceptance to begin MIURA 5 launch campaign by the end of 2025.
Initially, PLD Space will create more than ten direct jobs and 50 indirect in Kourou, a figure that will grow progressively as the number of launches increases.
“Our first approach to our colleagues in French Guyana was in 2018, proud to start our operations in Kourou as the original commercial launcher company in Europe,” said the Chief Business Development Officer and Co-founder of PLD Space, Raúl Verdú. “For PLD Space, it is also the opportunity to close the circle by developing, manufacturing, testing and also launching rockets to orbit from European territory. The space launch industry has a catalyst effect on investment and creates a ‘pull effect’ on the whole economic structure of the area. We want as many of flights as possible to take place from the Europe’s spaceport, with the appropriate sizing of the local team.”
