PLD Space announced that it is increasing its investment in the development and deployment of its launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) in Kourou, French Guiana, to €35 million over the 2025–2026 period. The announcement was made during the Choose France event in Versailles and marks a significant milestone for the company as it advances preparations for the inaugural launch of its MIURA 5 orbital vehicle.
The investment makes PLD Space the first private operator to deploy capital expenditure at this scale at the ELM-Diamant site, contributing to the diversification and strengthening of Europe’s historic spaceport.
According to the company, €22 million of the total investment is being executed within the French industrial ecosystem, including €13 million allocated to more than 20 companies based in French Guiana, many of which are small and medium-sized enterprises. PLD Space said this approach strengthens local industrial capabilities and supports the development of the regional space ecosystem.
Using official INSEE economic multipliers for the French Guiana space sector, the company estimates that the investment will generate approximately €21 million in local value added and sustain between 250 and 275 indirect and induced jobs during the construction phase. In addition, about 35 direct jobs are expected to be created to support recurring launch operations once the facility becomes operational.
The company noted that the launch infrastructure will provide European institutional and commercial customers with the ability to launch payloads from European territory aboard a European launcher, supporting Europe’s strategic autonomy and sovereign access to space.
PLD Space also provided an update on the development of the MIURA 5 launch complex. Civil works are now in their final phase and are expected to be completed by the summer of 2026. At the same time, launch infrastructure components are being integrated in Spain and shipped to Kourou as part of the development of a fully operational launch facility in collaboration with the CNES.
The company remains on schedule for the first MIURA 5 launch from the Guiana Space Centre in 2026. The mission is expected to serve as a major milestone for Europe’s growing commercial launch industry and aligns with broader efforts by France and the European Space Agency to expand the industrial base supporting operations at the Guiana Space Centre.
KEY QUOTE:
“This investment represents a major milestone for PLD Space and for Europe’s emerging commercial launch ecosystem. Developing our own launch infrastructure at the Guiana Space Centre strengthens Europe’s autonomous access to space while contributing to the industrial diversification of CSG. It also reflects our long-term commitment to building scalable, competitive and sovereign launch capabilities from Europe.”
Ezequiel Sánchez, Executive President, PLD Space
