PLD Space wins BOOST! contract to support flexible payload accommodation
The Spanish startup PLD Space has secured a Boost! contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a payload accommodation system for MIURA 5, enhancing customer flexibility. Valued at €1.3 million, this project is conducted in partnership with OCCAM Space.
This initiative falls under ESA's Boost! programme, which supports commercial space transportation services. It aligns with PLD Space's commitment to providing tailored services through its orbital launcher, MIURA 5, designed to meet the specific requirements of its clients.
“PLD Space has proven time and again that it is the European launch leader. The winning of the Boost! contract, an achievement shared with our partners Occam Space, is a further testament to this fact, and another vote of confidence from ESA. We are excited to develop a modular, highly flexible, low-cost solution to meet our customers’ accommodation needs aboard MIURA 5,” comments PLD Space CBDO & Co-founder Raúl Verdú.
“PLD Space has proven itself with its first launch last year, and we look forward to seeing the experience applied to the MIURA 5 launch services development,” says ESA's Jorgen Bru, “The payload adapter development engaged today was chosen to increase market competitiveness and ensure as many different types of satellites and customers can fly.”
The agreement between ESA and PLD Space co-finances the creation of a modular and customisable payload accommodation system. Named MOSPA (Modular Solution for Payload Adapter), this system is engineered for the flexible deployment of all satellite types, enhancing PLD Space's mission and service offerings to include CubeSats, nanosatellites, and microsatellites.
The development of this modular payload adapter is a collaborative effort with OCCAM Space, aiming to produce hardware that is both lightweight and highly adaptable. This approach seeks to maximise satellite launch capacity and respond effectively to market needs.
“OCCAM Space team has a large expertise in structures and mechanisms in the space sector. We are very happy that our MOSPA philosophy and design has been selected to complement the MIURA 5 upper stage. We are looking forward to work hand in hand with ESA and PLD Space to bring more competitiveness to the European small launchers market,” says OCCAM Space CEO Manuel Serrano.
PLD Space continues to make progress on the development of its orbital launcher, MIURA 5, which is scheduled to make its first flight in 2025 from CSG, the European spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana.
