Spanish Government Grants Funds Of Rp694 Billion To PLD Space

PLD Space received a grant for Miura 5. (photo: dock. PLD Space)

JAKARTA Payload Aerospace (PLD Space), aerospace startup from Spain, was selected as the recipient of aid funds from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation on Friday, January 26.

These funds are provided through the Center for Technology and Innovation Development (CDTI). Since last year, CDTI has started a small satellite launcher development project with a total fund of 45 million euros or around Rp771 billion.

In the first phase, the project from PLD Space and Pangea Aerospace was selected in July last year. Both received funds of 1.5 million (Rp25 billion) to develop the projects they submitted.

After a technical review, PLD Space was finally selected as the winner. This startup company received the remaining 40.5 million euros (Rp694 billion). These funds will be used to develop the Miura 5 rocket.

As the winner of the grant from CDTI, PLD Space Executive President Ezequiel Sanchez said that the technology they developed was based on a solid business plan. The reason is, Miura 5's initial design review is very detailed and thorough.

"Winning a public contract to create a strategic ability to strengthen our position as a leading company that guarantees European access to space," said PLD Executive President Space Ezequiel Sanchez in an official statement.

Sementara itu, CEO PLD Space Ragetl Torres mengatakan bahwa kinerja perusahaannya sangat luar biasa. Saat mengerjakan proyek ini, PLD Space sedang sibuk dengan peluncuran dan kampanye pasca-pelancuran untuk Miura 1.

Therefore, the design of Miura 5 is a form of improvement from their first tech demonstrators. This is indeed profitable as well as tense because the evaluation of the CDTI project is very strict.

After the elected Miura 5 project, PLD Space will focus on developing the sub-orbital rocket. The plan, Miura 5 will be launched in 2025, while the rocket operation will be carried out commercially by 2026.