Elche-based PLD Space, an international space transportation company, has signed a €30 million venture debt loan with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to support the final development stage of their MIURA 5 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.
This comes one month after their €180 million Series C, as covered by EU-Startups. PLD Space will also be present in the upcoming EU-Startups Summit, where they will join a panel of experts to discuss “Insights from European Space Innovators“.
“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,” says PLD Space’s Executive President, Ezequiel Sánchez.
In the 2025–2026 EU-Startups coverage of SpaceTech and adjacent segments, PLD Space sits alongside a broader group of European companies raising capital for launch, satellite and orbital infrastructure.
Relevant examples include Germany’s HyImpulse Technologies, which raised €45 million to advance hybrid propulsion for satellite transport; Germany’s Reflex Aerospace, which secured €50 million to scale sovereign satellite platforms and manufacturing; Bremen-based Marble Imaging, which raised €5.3 million ahead of its Earth observation launch plans; Spain’s Kreios Space, which secured €8 million for very low Earth orbit satellite technology; Madrid-based Orbital Paradigm, which raised €1.5 million to develop reusable space capsules; AIRMO, which secured €5 million for satellite-based methane detection; and SatVu, which raised €34 million to expand its thermal intelligence constellation.
Together, these comparable announcements account for almost €150 million in disclosed funding, rising to over €178 million when PLD Space’s new loan is included, or roughly €358 million when its separate €180 million Series C is also counted. This places PLD Space’s latest financing within a wider pattern of investment into Europe’s space capabilities, with Spain especially visible through both Kreios Space and Orbital Paradigm.
“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,” adds EIB Group President Nadia Calviño.
Founded in 2011 by Raúl Torres and Raúl Verdú, PLD Space is a SpaceTech company on a mission to transport satellites and people into space, vertically integrating the engineering, testing, manufacturing, and operations of its reusable and sustainable rockets. Its family of MIURA launchers and LINCE crewed capsule position the company as a leader in European technological sovereignty for space transportation, covering the full spectrum of space missions.
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.
“Europe needs strong, independent launch capabilities to secure its autonomous access to space,” says 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.”
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.
“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,” adds Ezequiel.
Read the orginal article: https://www.eu-startups.com/2026/04/pld-space-adds-e30-million-eib-loan-as-it-advances-toward-miura-5-test-flight/
