PLD Space and CNES to study a second launch pad in French Guiana

PLD Space has signed an agreement with French space agency CNES to explore building a second launch pad for its rockets at the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou. The pad would sit at the former Diamant site, which CNES is converting into a shared base for private launch companies, and would support the MIURA 5 and larger MIURA 9.

• CNES is converting the Diamant site in Kourou into a shared base for private launchers
• The pad would support the MIURA 5 and MIURA 9 rockets
• The ESA European Launcher Challenge contract is worth €158.9m, signed in August
• MIURA 5's first flight is planned for 2026