PLD Space signs CNES agreement to study second MIURA launch pad in French Guiana

PLD Space, the Spanish space transportation company, has signed an agreement with the French space agency, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), to support the continued development of European launch capabilities at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG).

The agreement reflects a shared aim of making Europe's historic spaceport a more competitive, attractive and multi-user gateway to space, able to serve both institutional missions and a new generation of European commercial launch providers.

It aligns PLD Space's launch vehicle roadmap with a goal held in common with CNES: to advance the infrastructure and operational capabilities needed for the next phase of Europe's launch ecosystem. The cooperation supports PLD Space's launch needs and positions French Guiana as a key platform for autonomous, competitive and resilient European access to space.

"This agreement with CNES reinforces PLD Space's long-term commitment to the Guiana Space Centre and to Europe's autonomous access to space," said Ezequiel Sanchez, Executive President of PLD Space. "By advancing the MIURA launch vehicle family together with the infrastructure and operations required to scale from French Guiana, PLD Space is contributing to the CSG's evolution as the world's leading spaceport for the next generation of launch services. This strategic advance reinforces a roadmap designed to provide Europe with real, competitive and resilient launch capacity."

Under the agreement, the two parties will jointly explore the feasibility of accommodating a second launch pad at the ELM-Diamant site to support operations of MIURA 5 and MIURA 9, which are included in PLD Space's contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) under the European Launcher Challenge (ELC).

The agreement supports the progressive integration of new European private launch capabilities into the spaceport. It also contributes to a more open and dynamic launch environment, increasing operational capacity, launch cadence and Europe's overall access-to-space capabilities.

PLD Space said the agreement further consolidates its position as one of the European private launch operators advancing most actively at the Guiana Space Centre, and reinforces its role in building sovereign, resilient and competitive launch capabilities for Europe.

CONTACT: https://www.pldspace.com