ESA director of space transportation Toni Tolker-Nielsen has revealed that PLD Space is likely to be the first company to launch a rocket from the new commercial launch complex being built on the grounds of the Guiana Space Centre.
In early 2021, the French space agency CNES announced plans to open up the Guiana Space Centre to commercial micro and mini-launch operators. The agency explained that it would be developing a multi-user launch pad on the grounds of the old Diamant launch complex. In July 2022, CNES announced that it had pre-selected Avio, HyImpulse, Isar Aerospace, MaiaSpace, PLD Space, Rocket Factory Augsburg, and Latitude to utilize the new launch complex.
During a media briefing following ESA’s 327th council meeting, Tolker-Nielsen explained that “general work” on the complex had already started and that work on “specific adaptations” was about to begin. These specific adaptations will be completed by the companies that will utilize the launch complex to ensure it fulfills the specific needs of their launch systems.
According to Tolker-Nielsen, Spanish rocket builder PLD Space is currently the furthest along in its preparations to launch from the new facility.
“It seems to be the most advanced one that are right now investing in the specific equipment that will be needed on the Diamant launch site to launch Miura 5 from Kourou.”
The ESA director of space transportation did, however, admit that he was “not aware” of when the first Miura 5 rocket was likely to be launched from the new launch complex.
Last month, a PLD Space team traveled to French Guiana to “move forward together with the French Space Agency on the Miura 5 launch complex.” According to the 16 May update, the company plans to begin construction at the site “after this summer.”
Miura 5 will be a two-stage rocket with the option to add a kick stage for added mission capabilities. At just over 35 metres tall, the rocket is designed to be capable of delivering payloads of up to 540 kilograms to 500-kilometre Sun-synchronous orbit. The inaugural flight of Miura 5 will be launched from French Guiana.
