Spain's Miura 5 rocket advances toward 2027 liftoff as PLD Space completes stage integration

PLD Space said Thursday that the second stage of its Miura 5 rocket has been fully integrated and shipped to the company's Teruel test facility, where it will undergo a qualification campaign that includes wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test. The milestone moves the small-lift vehicle closer to its first flight, which PLD Space targets before mid-2027. The company is one of three Miura 5 rockets it has manufactured, the other two built to qualify key system elements.

The Miura 5 program has been under development for several years as PLD Space worked toward its first launch. CEO Raúl Torres provided a program update on October 19, outlining progress on manufacturing and integration of the three vehicles. The company has not announced a specific launch date, but has said it is targeting a first flight before mid-2027.

The development comes amid broader activity in the small- and medium-lift launch sector. Reaction Dynamics, a Canadian launch startup, said it is seeking to raise $350 million to expand its staff from 68 to more than 350 people. The company is developing the Aurora rocket, which it hopes will reach orbit in 2028, and has also announced plans to build a medium-lift rocket called Borealis for a debut by 2031.

The push by PLD Space and other firms to develop new launch vehicles reflects growing demand for access to orbit, particularly for smaller satellites and constellations. PLD Space has manufactured three Miura 5 rockets, with the other two vehicles serving to qualify system elements for the first flight. The company said manufacturing these three vehicles has allowed teams to work continuously across different stages of production and integration.

The qualification campaign for the second stage will include a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test. PLD Space has not provided a timeline for completion of those tests. The company's Teruel test facility in Spain is where the qualification activities will take place.

Reaction Dynamics' fundraising effort would represent a significant capital raise in the launch sector. The company is developing the Aurora rocket, which it hopes will reach orbit in 2028, and has also announced plans to build a medium-lift rocket called Borealis for a debut by 2031. The company is one of three prominent Canadian launch startups.

PLD Space has not announced a specific launch date for Miura 5, but has said it is targeting a first flight before mid-2027. The company's Teruel test facility in Spain is where qualification activities for the second stage will take place. The qualification campaign will include a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test.