EIB finances with €30 million PLD Space’s small satellite launcher MIURA 5

7 April 2026

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €30 million venture debt loan with PLD Space, an international space transportation company headquartered in Elche, Spain, to support the final development stage of MIURA 5, the company’s rocket designed to deploy small satellites into orbit. 

The operation represents the EIB’s first direct investment in small launchers for the transport of satellites into space. The financing will also support scaling of PLD Space’s industrial and launch capabilities to transition toward commercial operations. 

“I am proud to announce today the signing of a €30 million European Investment Bank loan for the European company based in Spain PLD Space, to succeed in the launch of MIURA 5 rocket and to deploy small satellites into orbit, which will be key for communications, research and our security,” said EIB Group President Nadia Calviño.

The project contributes to the EIB’s goals of boosting investments in European Union technological innovation and strengthening Europe’s security and defence capabilities through enhanced European independence in the field of space.

“Europe needs strong, independent launch capabilities to secure its autonomous access to space,” said EIB VicePresident Robert de Groot. “With its innovative rocket technology and infrastructure, PLD Space is taking important steps in this direction. The EIB is proud to support PLD Space in scaling its launch services to reach globally competitive price levels, strengthening Europe’s autonomy in this critical segment.”

Positioned in the small lift launch vehicle segment, MIURA 5 is a two‑stage rocket designed to reduce the complexity and scheduling risks associated with launches of small satellites using medium‑ or heavy‑lift launch vehicles. From a climate perspective, MIURA 5 will undergo developments to become fully reusable, offering a more sustainable solution for transporting small satellites into space. The rocket is on track for its first test flight in 2026 and it is expected to provide a highly flexible service, carrying out up to 30 missions per year from multiple spaceports, including the Guiana Space Centre - in French Guiana, also known as the European spaceport.

“Securing this unique €30 million financing from the European Investment Bank marks a decisive milestone for PLD Space and for Europe’s space industry. It strengthens our ability to expand the industrial and launch infrastructure required to provide dependable access to space for our global pipeline of commercial and institutional customers. We are grateful to the EIB for its trust and support; this backing reinforces our long‑term vision and further consolidates Europe’s access to space,” stated PLD Space’s Executive President, Ezequiel Sánchez.

“With this new financing, PLD Space has now secured €210 million so far in 2026, following the €180 million Series C closed in March. Driven by European and international institutional and strategic backing, PLD Space continues to advance its roadmap and consolidate its position among the select group of private companies worldwide developing complete launch systems to enable reliable global access to space,” added Ezequiel Sánchez. 

“Today, we take an important step forward in Europe’s position in the global launch market with this €30 million investment in PLD Space’s MIURA 5.This is one step among many in a broader effort to support a dynamic new ecosystem of European access to space companies — combining strong public backing with a stable, forward-looking environment in which innovative industries can grow, scale, and invest with confidence,” said Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius. “As space becomes increasingly strategic, access is no longer a luxury — it is essential to our security, our economy, and our future. That is why the European Union is committed to ensuring independent and reliable access to space. By backing innovative European companies, we are building a strong, competitive, and resilient launch industry — and securing Europe’s place as a global space power,” added Kubilius.

The PLD Space financing adds to the EIB’s diversified New Space portfolio of investments, which includes venture loans to European space challengers, active across the value chain — from ground stations and satellite manufacturing to Earth observation, communications, orbital logistics, data analytics and propulsion. This complementary portfolio has been strategically sourced by the EIB to support the EU’s goal of strengthening strategic autonomy in space. In addition, through initiatives such as Space TechEU and advisory support delivered with the European Commission, ESA and the European Innovation Council, the EIB Group combines financing and expertise to foster innovation and accelerate the development of Europe’s space sector.  

The PLD Space financing agreement makes a strong contribution to the eight core priorities set out in the EIB Group 2024-2027 Strategic Roadmap. In particular, the project supports the Group’s cross‑cutting initiatives of climate action, and strengthening Europe’s security and defence industry. It also contributes to the TechEU initiative, the EIB Group's programme to accelerate EU innovation, which aims to mobilise €250 billion in investments by 2027 for startups, scale-ups and innovative companies across Europe. This EIB loan is guaranteed by InvestEU, the flagship EU programme to mobilise public and private sector investment to support EU policy goals.