PLD Space And Arianespace Agree To Develop Small Satellite Launch Service

Illustration of a Spanish Startup rocket, PLD Space, (photo: twitter @RaulTorresPLD)

JAKARTA - A Spanish startup, PLD Space, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French Arianespace to develop joint services in the launch of a small satellite into orbit. This was conveyed by the Spanish company on Wednesday, June 14.

In a statement, this deal will allow PLD Space to offer customizable services to Arianespace customers.

PLD Space hopes to start commercial activity by 2025 and plans to conduct its first suborbital test in the coming days or weeks south of Spain, after canceling its launch in late May due to high winds.

The company plans to gradually increase its capacity to 10 to 12 launches per year by the end of the decade.

Plans to launch thousands of internet-spreading satellites in the coming years have prompted the emergence of rocket companies targeting a $1 trillion market by several analysts.

Europe's efforts to develop the ability to launch small satellites into space have focused on the launch of an orbital rocket that failed by Virgin Orbit from the UK in January.

"Europeannya dengan mitra strategis seperti Arianespace adalah bukti lebih lanjut dari komitmen kami untuk meningkatkan kemampuan akses luar angkasa komersial Eropa di saat yang paling dibutuhkan," kata Ezequiel Sanchez, Presiden Eksekutif PLD Space, dalam pernyataan tersebut.

Arianespace, which launched a satellite from French Guiana, is mostly owned by ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus and Safran.