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Elche's PLD Space moves a step closer to launching Spain's orbital rocket
The MIURA 5 launcher has now entered its pre-flight demonstration phase in Spain
Spain’s push into the space industry has taken another step forward as Elche-based PLD Space begins testing its MIURA 5 rocket ahead of its first flight.
The company, founded in Elche in 2011, was the first in Spain to launch a home-built rocket, the suborbital MIURA 1. Its successor has now entered a pre-flight demonstration phase of system-level testing and subsystem validation, and PLD Space confirmed that the first three units have already been built.
MIURA 1 had one stage and one engine, while MIURA 5 has two stages, with five engines in the first, which explains the name, and one in the second. It’s designed to take payloads into orbit and is also a stepping stone to MIURA 9, a reusable 42-metre rocket capable of putting up to 1,500 kilograms into orbit.
According to the company, the three vehicles are two qualification units and the first flight vehicle. The qualification units will go through different test campaigns while the flight vehicle is still being assembled, which means lessons learned in testing can be applied directly to the flight hardware.
The second stage is now fully integrated, combining airframes, avionics, fuel, control systems and propulsion, and it’s installed vertically in Teruel for a propellant loading test and a static fire test. Stage separation tests have also been completed at the company’s Teruel facilities, verifying the commands and timing involved in separating the two stages in flight.
One part of the timeline has slipped, as the first test flight, originally scheduled for the first half of 2027, will now be postponed.
PLD Space has spent more than a decade working to give Spain its own orbital launcher. It now has more than 450 employees in three countries and is the only private Spanish company to have successfully launched a suborbital demonstrator.
Image: PLD Space
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The Astronomy and Science Centre Foundation has star-themed events and activities to delight novices and experts of all ages
Astronomy Tours runs a whole host of astronomical activities and events in the Murcia Region, from astronomical observation sessions to a magical cruise under the stars, to really fire up an interest in the cosmic world beyond our atmosphere.
Their main base of operations is the Finca Astronomica, located close to the town of La Aljorra in the Campo de Cartagena, where you can join their astronomy tours either in the daytime or at night, all year round.
At the Finca, you’re welcomed with delicious food, drinks, a bonfire and a variety of astronomical tools and gadgets. In the summer season, they also have tours in other locations, including San Pedro del Pinatar, La Manga and Camposol, not to mention their unmissable cruise under the stars, which involves a nighttime cruise on the Mar Menor with tapas and drinks, plus a guided presentation of the night sky as you watch the galaxy glide by.
The Astronomy Tours and the Finca Astronomica are supported by the Astronomy and Science Centre Foundation, which was founded in 2019 by a group of astronomers and Starlight-certified guides and monitors in the astronomical observatories in Spain.The purpose of the Foundation is to promote the knowledge and interest in the field of astronomy and astronomy-related sciences, which covers areas such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, but also history, archeology, urban and medical aspects of social life, literature, art, culture and (of course) astrology.
By promoting this knowledge and getting their customers interested in astronomy, the Foundation hopes to achieve higher goals such as bringing the stars a little closer to people, and helping them to understand the importance of caring about our planet and the whole human population as a one.
To achieve those goals, the Foundation organises its day- and nighttime activities and camps which are suitable for both children and adults, and as well as this they work with 
schools and organisations and write books for children to bring astronomy to the masses.
schools and organisations and write books for children to bring astronomy to the masses.As part of this mission, they’re creating an astronomically themed park right on the Costa Cálida called the Astronomy and Science Centre which has an observatory available to the public to see the stars and the planets, and where they also promote ecofriendly and sustainable activities and closeness to nature.
The Finca Astronomica even has its own friendly and well cared for animals which live in really big spaces where people can easily enter and interact with them in their own environment.
What’s more, you can get involved in all sorts of other fun and activities for all the family at the Finca Astronomica, including glamping under the stars, stroking the animals at their petting zoo and enjoying sports like darts, archery, nerf gun fights, and many more.
This year, Finca Astronomica is excited to unveil its very own Yurt Village. Alongside the beautifully crafted wooden glamping pods, the yurts combine traditional charm with all the modern comforts including double beds, cosy carpets and plenty of shelving for your personal belongings.
But that’s not all. Each yurt comes handily equipped with light and electricity, so that you can charge your devices even as you recharge your spirit under the vast, starry sky.
This summer season is about to come alive with regular tours happening three days a week, while Adult Only Fridays are just around the corner.
Tours are available in English, Spanish and Polish.
