The first photos of the QM1 of the Miura 5, the first two-stage Spanish space rocket

Today is a very exciting day for the Spanish aerospace industry, which has presented one of its most important milestones.

The launch of the Miura 1, the first Spanish space rocket, from different angles
Miura 1: the first Spanish space rocket and the contribution of the Armed Forces

The company PLD Space, which launched the first Spanish space rocket, the Miura 1 (a single-stage launcher), has today released the first photographs of the Miura 5, its first two-stage orbital launcher. Specifically, the images released this Thursday by the Spanish space company correspond to the first qualification model (QM1) of this rocket (you can see each photo enlarged by clicking on it). The launch of this rocket will take place at the Kourou Space Center in French Guiana, from where the European Space Agency conducts its launches.

PLD Space notes that what we see in these images is "the first fully integrated MIURA 5 unit, the Qualification Model 1 (QM1), marking a decisive step forward in the orbital launcher validation campaign. This unit will enable the completion of full rocket subsystem testing, such as the first and second stages, under real conditions, with the aim of minimising flight risk and ensuring the vehicle's reliability before its first mission in 2026."

The Miura 1 was a single-stage rocket, 12.7 meters long, 70 centimeters in diameter, and weighing 2,550 kg. Two years ago, PLD Space announced that its next rocket would be much larger. On its website, PLD Space states that the Miura 5 will be 35.7 meters long, 2 meters in diameter and will have two stages, with the possibility of incorporating a third, the "kick stage", an auxiliary stage that would allow carrying multiple payloads on the same launcher.

"The QM1 unit will serve to qualify two key elements of the launcher. Firstly, the MIURA 5 second stage will undergo a destruction test in the United States to validate the functioning of the Flight Termination System. This test will verify the operation of the explosive charges onboard the vehicle, designed to destroy the launcher in the event of an in-flight anomaly," PLDF Space stated. "Secondly, a Wet Dress Rehearsal will be carried out on the rocket’s first stage – a full propellant loading test that replicates all structural load scenarios during the fuelling and pressurisation phase. This test is essential to validate the behaviour of structures under real operational conditions."

In this image we can see the five TEPREL-C engines of the first stage, the part of the rocket responsible for launch from the ground, covered with red covers. Each of these engines will have a thrust of 190 kN. To give you an idea, the Eurojet EJ200 turbofan engine of a Eurofighter has a normal thrust of 60.1 kN and 89.9 kN with afterburner.

Here we see the two stages of the rocket: the first on the left and the second on the right. The second stage has a black cover on its front and appears open. Inside, it contains a model of a satellite folded for deployment into orbit. PLD Space has indicated that it "expects to complete three integrated MIURA 5 units within just five months. By the end of December, a second qualification unit will be ready, and in the first quarter of 2026 PLD Space will unveil the flight rocket that will travel to Kourou for the launch campaign. This unprecedented development cadence in Europe reinforces PLD Space’s position as the company that has developed an orbital launcher in the shortest time – just two years – whilst meeting the highest quality standards."

PLD Space explains: "The development, manufacturing and qualification campaign for MIURA 5 is advancing strongly thanks to PLD Space’s vertical integration model, the technological heritage of MIURA 1 and its in-house industrial capability. In parallel with QM1, the company continues to carry out qualification tests for the remaining subsystems at its Teruel test facilities, including integrated engine tests on the new three-cell stand, structural validation of tanks and interstage, avionics tests, and trials of other components such as the fairing retention and separation mechanisms."

The Spanish company also explains the situation at the launch site: "At the same time, civil works for the launch complex at the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) are progressing, with advances in the launch pad areas, vehicle preparation zone and control centre. In doing so, PLD Space will become the first private company to fly from the historic ELM-Diamant area of the European spaceport."

PLD Space notes that the Miura 5 is "dedicated to small payloads, it can provide dedicated missions and rideshare options while minimizing the usual complexities and schedule risks linked to launches using medium or heavy-lift launch vehicles. MIURA 5 is scheduled to offer a highly-flexible service launching 30 missions per year from multiple space ports, including the historic Guiana Space Centre."

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Photos: PLD Space / Raúl Torres.