Spanish rocket builder PLD Space has launched a new programme to offer space aboard the first two flights of its Miura 5 rocket for free.
PLD Space successfully launched its suborbital Miura 1 rocket for the first time in October 2023. The company is now working towards an inaugural flight of its larger two-stage Miura 5 rocket, which is designed to be capable of delivering payloads of up to 450 kilograms to low Earth orbit.
On 27 June, the company announced that it had launched its SPARK programme. This programme will offer free launch services aboard the first two Miura 5 flights, which are expected to take place in late 2025 and early 2026. The application process will close on 30 July, and winning proposals will be announced on 30 November 2024.
“At PLD Space we have an unwavering commitment to encouraging society’s engagement with the space industry,” explained PLD head of business development, Raúl Verdú. “The first MIURA 5 test flights offer a unique opportunity for students, researchers, institutions, and companies to test their innovations in the challenging environment of space.”
The main selection criteria, as outlined by a PLD Space press release, will include the country of origin. Spanish entities will receive preference, followed by EU member states, NATO member states, and major non-NATO allies. Preference will also be given to proposals from universities, research centres, and commercial entities willing to integrate experiments from student teams.
Winning proposals will be responsible for the costs of meeting the technical requirements of launching aboard Miura 5 and any additional tests to ensure the safety of the satellite. The SPARK programme will cover all other costs, including mission management, transport to the launch base, storage and handling, and any other operational costs relating to the launch service.
According to PLD Space, the initiative has the backing of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, the Spanish Space Agency, the Spanish National Research Council, the Organisation of Ibero-American States, and the European Space Education Resource Office in Spain.
