A live broadcast on the internet revealed that the Spanish company (PLD Space) canceled the launch trial of its reusable rocket (Miura-1) at the last moment early Saturday, marking another setback for European efforts to develop capabilities to send small satellites into space. The broadcast showed the cancellation of the launch in Huelva, southwestern Spain, after the countdown reached zero, with flames and smoke briefly erupting from the launch pad.
Raul Torres, the company's CEO and one of its founders, stated, "99.9% of all procedures were successful. Launching a rocket is extremely difficult, but we are getting closer and closer. We will make an even greater effort again." The company noted that "the launch was halted due to a cable release error."
The Spanish company was attempting to take the first step in the race to place small satellites in space, in a mission that would have been the first of its kind in Western Europe by a private company. European efforts to develop capabilities for launching small satellites into space have gained significant attention following the failure of "Virgin Orbit" to launch an orbital rocket from British soil in January.
The (Miura-1) rocket, produced by (PLD Space), is named after a breed of fighting bulls, stands about the height of a three-story building, has a payload capacity of 100 kilograms, and can also be used for zero-gravity experiments. A previous attempt to conduct a suborbital test in late May was postponed due to high-altitude strong winds.
