
Q&A
- What is the objective of this Announcement of Opportunity?
- What is MIURA 5, and what are its capabilities?
- Who is eligible to apply for this launch opportunity?
- What are the submission deadlines?
- What is the Matchmaking Session?
- Frequently asked questions after the Matchmaking Session
- What types of satellites are eligible for this opportunity?
- What costs will PLD Space cover for the selected satellites?
- Are there any costs that candidates need to bear?
- Can entities submit multiple satellites or collaborate with others?
- What criteria will be used to select the satellites?
What is the objective of this Announcement of Opportunity?
The Announcement seeks to select satellites for launch opportunities on MIURA 5’s first two Demonstration Flights, scheduled for Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, respectively.
What is MIURA 5, and what are its capabilities?
MIURA 5 is an orbital launcher designed by PLD Space. It has a two-stage configuration, a height of 35.7 meters, and can place payloads up to 540 kg into a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). It uses eco-friendly technologies, including bio-kerosene and liquid oxygen.
Who is eligible to apply for this launch opportunity?
The Spark Program is open to all institutional, educational, and commercial entities globally, including government agencies, universities, research institutions, private companies, start-ups, SMEs, and large organizations.
What are the submission deadlines?
- Preliminary Submission (for all entities except Schools): September 30, 2024
- Final Application Submission (for all entities except Schools): November 15, 2024
- Schools Final Submission: November 15, 2024
- Candidate Final Selection: November 30, 2024
What is the Matchmaking Session?
Primary and High School teams looking to fly experiments on-board MIURA 5 shall be paired with commercial satellite platform providers during a Matchmaking Session to take place once the final candidates have been selected. The submission process for Schools shall be different to other entities, with only a single submission required.
Frequently asked questions after the Matchmaking Session
The deadline for submitting the "Declaration and Description of the Partnership" has been extended by one week, from February 12, 2025, to February 19, 2025.
Finances
How can PLD Space help?
PLD covers the costs of the launch service. At market price, for payloads similar to those in SPARK proposals, this service is valued at approximately €100,000 for small payloads.
Once the project is selected for flight, PLD can provide letters of support and participation certificates in the program, which can be used to seek financial backing from public and private institutions.
Collaboration Structure
How many participants can be included in each proposal?
The number of participants per proposal is open. However, PLD recommends between 2 and 10 participants per proposal to facilitate team management and consolidation.
Completion of the Collaboration Proposal
Who needs to complete it?
All project participants must complete the "Declaration and Description of Collaboration" document, providing as much detail as possible about their project and explaining how it benefits from the established collaboration.
How should it be completed?
Each section of the document includes a paragraph explaining how it should be filled out.
How long should the document be?
It depends on the number of participants. For a team of 2-3 people, 3-4 pages should be sufficient.
Who needs to sign it?
All members of the collaboration.
Who needs to submit it?
The designated contact point in the agreement, with the other participants in copy.
Deadlines
When should my experiment be ready?
Preferably by the end of this year or the beginning of the next.
If you have already submitted your application, it is not necessary to resubmit it.
What types of satellites are eligible for this opportunity?
Eligible satellites include small satellites with a total mass not exceeding 450 kg per flight. The satellites must fit within the MIURA 5 fairing.
What costs will PLD Space cover for the selected satellites?
PLD Space will cover mission management, accommodation on the MIURA 5 launcher, propellant handling, launch-site transport, storage, handling costs, and other operational costs associated with Standard Services.
Are there any costs that candidates need to bear?
Yes, candidates must cover the costs for meeting technical requirements and any additional testing for satellite safety. Candidates are also encouraged to propose an additional financial contribution towards the mission launch service.
Can entities submit multiple satellites or collaborate with others?
Yes, entities can submit multiple satellites or collaborate with other eligible entities, such as student teams. In fact, commercial entities indicating an interest in collaborating with Schools shall be favoured.
What criteria will be used to select the satellites?
Selection criteria include the country of origin, type of entity (with Schools and commercial entities willing to partner with Schools given strong preference), payload mass requirements, orbit flexibility, compliance with technical standards, launch window, schedule flexibility, satellite development status, operational risks, financial contribution, and mission attractiveness.
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