Published on
27/08/2026 - 13:33 GMT+2
The European Space Agency (ESA) has begun signing the first contracts under its European Launcher Challenge (ELC), the programme through which Europe is trying to end its reliance on foreign launchers to put satellites into orbit. Among those selected is PLD Space, the Elche-based company that in 2023 took its MIURA 1 demonstration rocket to the edge of space.
The contract, worth 158.9 million euros and funded mainly by Spain with German backing, positions the company as one of the central pillars of Europe’s future launcher ecosystem.
The agreement is divided into two components. The first aims to consolidate the commercial service of MIURA 5 and progressively ramp up its launch rate through to 2030, at a time when the company says it is already seeing growing commercial interest in the rocket in international markets.
