PLD Space the first private European company to sign the development contract of its launch complex at ELM-Diamant

MIURA 5 Launch Zone at ELM-Diamant

PLD Space has signed a contract with the French space agency CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales) authorizing the development of its Launch Complex at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG), from which MIURA 5 rocket will be launched in 2026. With this agreement, PLD Space becomes the first private company to develop and operate its own launch complex in the ELM-Diamant area of Europe’s historic spaceport, owned by CNES.

The contract signing took place at the CNES Chalet during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, in the presence of Carine Leveau, Director of Space Transportation at CNES; Raúl Verdú, Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer at PLD Space; and Ezequiel Sánchez, Executive President at PLD Space.

This new contract greenlights the implementation of the infrastructure project designed by PLD Space with technical support from CNES and grants legal use of land in the ELM-Diamant area, where the MIURA 5 Preparation Zone and Launch Zone will be located. Construction will begin with the start of the dry season in French Guiana, expected in the summer months of 2025.

With this agreement, PLD Space leads the deployment of private operators at ELM-Diamant area. This alliance combines the agility, commercial focus, and lessons learned from the successful MIURA 1 flight with CNES's expertise, gained from over 60 years of designing infrastructure for institutional launchers.

The Launch Complex will occupy a total surface area of 15,765 square meters and will be divided into specific and common means. CNES will develop the common means designed to provide services to 5 Launch Systems, including access roads, electrical networks, and communication networks, while PLD Space will be responsible for the facilities dedicated to their rocket integration, testing, and launch.

Carine Leveau, Director of Space Transportation at CNES, stated: “Entrusting PLD Space to develop and operate its own launch complex at the CSG demonstrates CNES's commitment to opening the European spaceport to new players. This collaboration reflects an evolution in the European space model and strengthens our ambition to support the commercial ecosystem.”

Raúl Verdú, Co-founder and Chief Business Development Officer at PLD Space, highlighted: “This contract marks a key milestone for our company. It will allow us to begin materializing at CSG an infrastructure designed to maximize efficiency, reduce costs, and increase launch cadence. It is a decisive step to ensure the operational success of MIURA 5 from European soil.”

Adding to this milestone is the recent completion of the first phase of the Flight Safety Submission for MIURA 5, audited by the Flight Safety team of CSG. This achievement demonstrates that the vehicle's architecture meets the base's safety requirements, making PLD Space the first private company to complete this stage toward launching from the ELM-Diamant area.

An integrated and efficient infrastructure

One of the standout features of the MIURA 5 Launch Complex at the CSG is the design of the Preparation Zone, which includes two clean rooms for the final integration of satellites. This adaptation will shorten campaign durations, reduce technical and operational risks, and improve the quality of service to customers.

In addition, the integration area will be equipped to refurbish MIURA 5’s recovered first stages, preparing them for reuse on future flights.

MIURA Launch Complex at ELM-Diamant is divided into three operational areas:

• Preparation Zone: where the launcher components and satellites are integrated, including assembly and functional testing operations. This is also where final adjustments are made by the technical team before transport to the Launch Zone. 

• Launch Zone: includes infrastructure for erecting the launcher, water deluge and flame trench, and remote control systems for the final countdown sequence.

• Launch Control Center: the building from which all facilities are controlled during the countdown and critical tests. It includes fiber optic connections to the launcher, which will be switched to radio transmission just before launch.

The complex has been designed with a modular and versatile approach, capable of hosting different launchers in the future and facilitating tasks such as testing, integration, transport, and refurbishment.