MADRID: The inaugural launch of Spain’s Miura 1 rocket, which had faced two previous suspensions in recent weeks, has now been postponed until September over fears that its launch could potentially ignite a wildfire, according to the rocket’s developer on Tuesday.
Constructed by the private Spanish startup PLD Space, the rocket was originally slated for liftoff from El Arenosillo, a coastal military base in the southwestern province of Huelva, on May 31. However, the launch was called off due to high winds. It faced another setback on June 17 due to a last-minute technical issue.
Following discussions with the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA), PLD Space announced in a statement that the launch of Miura 1 has been rescheduled for September. The decision was motivated by the necessity to comply with forest fire prevention measures and account for the high temperatures prevalent in southern Spain. Ensuring the safety of the launch area is paramount.
This announcement comes at a time when Spain is gripped by its first summer heatwave, with temperatures reaching a peak of 44.4 degrees Celsius (111.9 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Huelva province on Monday. The soaring temperatures, expected to persist until Thursday, have heightened the risk of forest fires, exacerbated by an ongoing drought.
PLD Space’s Miura 1, named after a breed of fighting bull, is a compact sub-orbital launch vehicle, standing at a modest height of 12 meters (40 feet). Its primary function is to deliver payloads into space. The rocket’s trajectory is projected to take it just 100 kilometers (62 miles) above the Earth’s surface, conducting a 12-minute flight while carrying sensors to investigate microgravity conditions.
Although this distance would technically place it in outer space, the rocket lacks the required power to achieve orbit. The ultimate goal is to utilize the data gathered for the development of Miura 5, a larger orbital micro-launcher that incorporates reusable components. PLD Space envisions Miura 5 to be capable of deploying small satellites weighing up to 450 kilograms (around half a ton) into orbit starting from 2025.
In accordance with a recently signed agreement, the Miura 5 will eventually launch from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. PLD Space aims to become the first private European company to introduce a reusable satellite launcher into space.
Numerous companies are racing to develop launch systems to meet the growing demand in the satellite market. According to analysts at Euroconsult, around 18,500 small satellite systems are anticipated to be launched in the next decade.