PLD Space begins Miura 5 system-level testing, targets debut in H1 2027
PLD Space
PLD Space starts system-level tests on Miura 5's second stage and now targets a debut flight in the first half of 2027.
updates
- 2026-11-04PLD Space completes an explosive flight-termination-system test for Miura 5, a regulatory-approval milestone ahead of the rocket's planned first half of 2027 debut.
what happened
PLD Space began Miura 5 system-level testing in October, targeting a debut in H1 2027, per European Spaceflight. On Oct. 30, the company completed an explosive test of the rocket's flight termination system (FTS) at Delta-V Energetics facilities in Utah, a milestone toward regulatory approval; CEO Raul Torres said the company chose a US location due to "administrative difficulties associated with handling explosive charges in Europe." Three vehicles have been manufactured (two qualification units, one flight vehicle), the second stage is undergoing integration after vertical erection in Teruel, Spain in September, and about 60 containers of launch infrastructure have been delivered to the Guiana Space Centre as part of a EUR35 million investment in launch-site facilities.
why it matters
PLD Space is racing to become the first Western European orbital launch provider, and each hardware and regulatory milestone narrows the gap to that debut as European institutional and commercial customers look for an alternative to Ariane 6 and non-European vehicles.
for who
European Launcher Challenge customers, PLD Space investors
signal-to-noise
quick facts
- Companies
- PLD Space
- Category
- launch
- Impact
- notable
- SNR
- 4 / 5
- Event date
- 2026-10-19
- Published
- 2026-10-19 14:14 UTC