Payload Aerospace
Payload Aerospace (PLD Space) is a Spanish aerospace company developing the MIURA 5 reusable launch vehicle for dedicated deployment of small satellites (100–500 kg class), serving commercial and institutional satellite operators via direct contracts and launching from CSG Kourou.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersElche, Spain
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Payload Aerospace does
Payload Aerospace, operating as PLD Space, is a privately held Spanish aerospace company founded in 2011 and headquartered in Elche, Spain. The company designs, manufactures, and operates reusable launch vehicles intended for dedicated deployment of small satellites, typically in the 100–500 kg class. Its core product is the MIURA 5 reusable rocket, currently in qualification testing; key subsystems including avionics, the feed system, the reaction control system (RCS), and primary and secondary structures are developed and manufactured in-house. A predecessor vehicle, MIURA 1, was used for development launches at the INTA (Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial) facilities in Spain. Operations are anchored at three sites: the Elche headquarters and integration facility, a static fire test site in Teruel, and the launch platform under construction at the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana.
PLD Space monetizes through dedicated, bespoke launch service contracts negotiated directly with commercial and institutional satellite operators, distinguishing itself from rideshare aggregators by offering tailored mission scheduling. The company reports a single primary customer segment — small satellite operators — and does not publicly disclose pricing or per-mission contract values. To date, no commercial revenue has been disclosed and MIURA 5 has not yet executed a commercial mission.
The company is founder-led (Raúl Torres as co-founder and CEO; Raúl Verdú as co-founder, CIO, and COO) and is funded primarily through Spanish and European institutional channels, including the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) via its INNVIERTE program, European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) co-financing, IVACE/Generalitat Valenciana grants, and selection under the European Innovation Council's STEP Scale Up scheme. The deliberate reliance on public and semi-public capital, combined with vertical integration of the launch stack and a strategic launch site at CSG Kourou, defines the company's current competitive positioning.
Payload Aerospace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Payload Aerospace
- Website
- https://payloadaerospace.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Payload Aerospace (PLD Space) is a Spanish aerospace company developing the MIURA 5 reusable launch vehicle for dedicated deployment of small satellites (100–500 kg class), serving commercial and institutional satellite operators via direct contracts and launching from CSG Kourou.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Payload Aerospace industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial Space Launch Services
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control (IMABACAF), Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE)
Keywords
Where Payload Aerospace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Elche
- HQ country
- Spain
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Payload Aerospace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Dedicated Small Satellite Launch Services: Revenue generated by launching customer satellites on the MIURA 5 reusable rocket from the CSG in Kourou. Each mission targets dedicated deployment of small satellites (sub-500 kg class), with the reusability model aimed at reducing per-launch costs and enabling more frequent mission cadences. The company develops, manufactures, and operates its own launch vehicles, controlling the full value chain from vehicle production to launch service delivery.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels2 records
Payload Aerospace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Payload Aerospace (operating as PLD Space) develops, manufactures, and operates reusable launch vehicles for small satellite deployment to orbit. The company provides dedicated launch services using its MIURA 5 rocket, integrating in-house-developed avionics, feed systems, reaction control systems (RCS), and primary/secondary structures, with launches planned from the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana.
Product overview
Payload Aerospace (PLD Space) is a rocket development company offering reusable launch vehicles for small satellites. The primary product is the MIURA 5 reusable rocket, currently in qualification testing phase, which represents the company's evolved launch platform being constructed at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou. The predecessor MIURA 1 established the company's launch capabilities through INTA launches and Andalucía-based R&D. All rocket components including avionics, propulsion systems, and structural elements are developed and manufactured internally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MIURA 5 A reusable launch vehicle designed to deploy small satellites (100-500 kg class) to orbit, with in-house-developed avionics, feed system, RCS, and primary/secondary structures. Launched from the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana, targeting commercial and institutional small satellite operators.
- MIURA 1 The predecessor rocket developed by PLD Space, with launches conducted at INTA facilities. Served as the precursor platform validating the company's launch capabilities before MIURA 5.
Companies that use Payload Aerospace
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Payload Aerospace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Payload Aerospace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA)minorINTA (Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial) is referenced as the site for MIURA 1 launches and as a partner in R&D activities. PLD Space conducted MIURA 1 launch operations at INTA facilities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Payload Aerospace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rocket Lab: Closest direct peer: publicly traded small satellite launch operator with reusable small launch vehicles (Electron, Neutron) and vertically integrated space systems. Competes head-to-head with PLD Space in the dedicated smallsat launch market.
- Isar Aerospace: European smallsat launch developer (Spectrum rocket) targeting dedicated and shared smallsat missions from Andøya, Norway. Direct regional peer with similar funding profile and mission class to PLD Space.
- Orbex: UK-based small launch vehicle developer building a reusable micro-launcher for small satellites. Comparable scale, funding stage, and target market as PLD Space.
- Firefly Aerospace: US small/medium launch vehicle developer (Alpha, Beta) serving smallsat and orbital transfer markets. Comparable product class and customer base, with more flight heritage.
Emerging players
- Relativity Space: 3D-printed, reusable launch vehicle developer (Terran 1/Terran R) targeting smallsat and rideshare missions. Comparable vertically integrated, software-defined vehicle approach but at larger vehicle size and higher funding scale.
- ABL Space Systems: Small satellite launch developer (RS1) focused on responsive, dedicated smallsat missions from multiple launch sites. Direct overlap in customer profile and mission profile to PLD Space.
- Skyrora: UK-based small launch vehicle developer (Skyrora XL) targeting smallsat deployment. European counterpart with similar funding stage and target market.
Broad incumbents
- Avio: Established European space propulsion and launch services company (Vega family of launchers). A larger incumbent competing for the same European institutional launch customers as PLD Space.
- SpaceX: Dominant global launch provider with Falcon 9 rideshare and Starship development. Sets the cost and cadence benchmark that any smallsat launcher like PLD Space must compete against.
- Arianespace: European launch services incumbent operating from the same CSG Kourou facility PLD Space plans to use. Direct competition for European institutional customers and shared launch infrastructure.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Payload Aerospace social profiles
Digital presencePayload Aerospace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Payload Aerospace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Payload Aerospace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors4 records
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Payload Aerospace M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Payload Aerospace
What does Payload Aerospace do?
Payload Aerospace (operating as PLD Space) develops, manufactures, and operates reusable launch vehicles for small satellite deployment to orbit. The company provides dedicated launch services using its MIURA 5 rocket, integrating in-house-developed avionics, feed systems, reaction control systems (RCS), and primary/secondary structures, with launches planned from the Centre Spatial Guyanais (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana.
Is Payload Aerospace a public or private company?
Payload Aerospace is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Payload Aerospace founded?
Payload Aerospace was founded in 2011. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Payload Aerospace based?
Payload Aerospace is headquartered in Elche, Spain, in the Europe region.
How does Payload Aerospace make money?
One revenue line is on record: dedicated Small Satellite Launch Services.
Who are Payload Aerospace's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rocket Lab, Isar Aerospace, Orbex and Firefly Aerospace. Emerging players are Relativity Space, ABL Space Systems and Skyrora. Broad incumbents are Avio, SpaceX and Arianespace.
Does Payload Aerospace have an API?
No public API is recorded for Payload Aerospace.
What industry is Payload Aerospace in?
Payload Aerospace's product category is Commercial Space Launch Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAA, Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets, with a secondary code of IMABACAF, Space Structures, Mechanisms & Thermal Control. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.