ESA signs first major European Launcher Challenge contract with Spain's PLD Space
8 Articles
8 Articles
ESA selects PLD Space to develop the next generation of private European launchers
PLD Space has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the European Launcher Challenge (ELC), a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening Europe’s autonomous, competitive, and resilient access to space. ESA’s selection of PLD Space represents a significant endorsement of the company’s technology roadmap, execution capabilities, and role within Europe’s future launch ecosystem.
ESA signed the first contracts of the European Launcher Challenge, its programme to strengthen European spatial autonomy. Three companies, Rocket Factory Augsburg, PLD Space and Isar Aerospace, will share more than 540 million euros to join the orbit before 2028.
On Thursday 27 August, the European Space Agency announced the signing of contracts with 3 European launch companies, selected as part of the European Launcher Challenge, Isar Aerospace, PLD Space and Rocket Factory Augsburg.
PLD Space continues stellar year of growth with €158.9 million ESA award
PLD Space, a Spanish space transportation company, has been awarded €158.9 million by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the European Launcher Challenge (ELC) – a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening Europe’s autonomous, competitive, and resilient access to space. This comes amid a notable year of growth for the Elche-based SpaceTech company, having raised an €180 million Series C in March, a €30 million EIB venture-debt facility in Ap…
ESA Awards PLD Space €158.9M European Launcher Challenge Contract for MIURA 5 Scaling and Reusability – SatNews
On August 27, 2026, Spanish launch provider PLD Space was selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) under the European Launcher Challenge (ELC) initiative, securing a contract valued at €158.9 […]
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