PLD Space, a Spanish aerospace company, is gearing up for a suborbital test launch of its Miura 1 rocket. The launch is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2021 from the El Arenosillo test center in Huelva, Spain.
The Miura 1 rocket is a two-stage vehicle designed to carry small payloads to suborbital altitudes of up to 100 kilometers. The rocket is powered by liquid oxygen and kerosene engines, which provide a total thrust of 14,000 newtons. The first stage of the rocket is designed to be reusable, with the ability to land vertically back on Earth after completing its mission.
The upcoming test launch will be a crucial milestone for PLD Space, as it will be the first time the company has flown its own rocket. The launch will also provide valuable data on the performance of the Miura 1 rocket, which will be used to refine the design and prepare for future launches.
PLD Space was founded in 2011 with the goal of developing low-cost launch vehicles for small satellites. The company has received funding from the European Space Agency and private investors, and has partnerships with several companies in the space industry.
The suborbital launch market is becoming increasingly important for companies looking to test new technologies and conduct scientific experiments in space. Suborbital flights offer a lower cost alternative to orbital launches, and can provide valuable data on the effects of microgravity on materials and biological systems.
PLD Space is not the only company working on suborbital launch vehicles. Blue Origin, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is developing its New Shepard rocket for suborbital tourism and research flights. Virgin Galactic is also working on its SpaceShipTwo vehicle, which is designed to carry passengers on suborbital flights.
The success of PLD Space’s upcoming test launch will be closely watched by the space industry, as it could pave the way for a new generation of low-cost suborbital launch vehicles. With the demand for suborbital flights on the rise, companies like PLD Space are well positioned to capitalize on this growing market.
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- Source: https://zephyrnet.com/pld-space-prepares-for-suborbital-test-launch/