The inaugural flight of Spain’s first rocket was halted on Saturday after the countdown ended due to a last-minute technical issue, according to PLD Space, the startup behind the project.
The launch of the Miura 1 in the southwestern province of Huelva was automatically aborted as some of the umbilicals, which supply power and fuel to the rockets, did not release as intended. Raul Torres, a co-founder of PLD Space, shared this information on Twitter, stating that they will analyze the data for further insights.
The Miura 1, named after a breed of fighting bulls, was initially scheduled for launch on May 31 but was postponed due to high winds. Standing at a height of only 12 meters (40 feet), this small reusable rocket was intended to reach an altitude of 100 kilometers (62 miles) above Earth. However, it lacked the power to enter orbit.
The failed sub-orbital launch was meant to carry a payload containing micro-gravity experiments. The demand for launchers is increasing rapidly as more companies aim to tap into the growing satellite market. Euroconsult analysts predict that approximately 18,500 small satellites weighing less than 500 kilos (1,100 pounds) will be launched in the next decade.
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Spanish rocket launch aborted due to last-minute glitch (2023, June 18)
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