Mitsubishi Electric Invests in Spanish Service Provider PLD Space

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today that it has invested 50 million euros in PAYLOAD AEROSPACE, S.A. (PLD Space), a Spanish launch service provider, to collaborate on small-satellite launch services. By securing launch resources for small satellites, Mitsubishi Electric aims to expand its involvement in this sector.

Founded in 2011, PLD Space successfully launched its in-house developed MIURA 1 rocket in 2023. In 2025, the company was approved for funding from the European Space Agency as a new commercial launch-service provider selected through the agency’s European Launcher Challenge initiative. Currently, PLD Space is preparing for the first launch of its MIURA 5 rocket this year.

Mitsubishi Electric is planning to provide satellite data solution services to support customers’ problem-solving and decision-making processes with data acquired by satellites. To prepare for the full-scale rollout of services utilizing satellite constellations,^* strategic collaboration with rocket-launch providers and other partners is essential to ensure Mitsubishi Electric can secure small-satellite launch services and can use them when needed and at the appropriate time. Accordingly, this investment will enable Mitsubishi Electric to secure small-satellite launch resources from PLD Space.

Mitsubishi Electric will also gain priority access to launch services using the MIURA 5 rocket, thereby enhancing the feasibility of building a satellite constellation. In addition, the company intends to enhance its satellite data solution services for national security, disaster prevention and other applications. Mitsubishi Electric is committed to supporting safety and security in Japan and across Asia.

Traditionally, satellite development and operations were primarily government-led initiatives. However, there is now a growing demand for private companies to handle the entire process, from development to launch and operation. Furthermore, the rapid proliferation of small and midsized satellites, including satellite constellations, has resulted in a global shortage of launch services. Consequently, securing launch resources has become crucial to the success of the space industry.

Ezequiel Sánchez, Executive President of PLD Space, said: “We are grateful to Mitsubishi Electric for the confidence it has placed in PLD Space as a strategic partner. This support strengthens our leadership in accelerating independent access to space and will enable us to scale our capabilities and advance our roadmap, unlocking new commercial opportunities and delivering global space-based services around the globe.”

Tomonori Sato, Mitsubishi Electric’s Executive Officer, Group President, Defense & Space Systems, said: “We are pleased to collaborate with PLD Space, a company taking on the challenge of satellite launch services with a view toward the global market. By combining PLD Space’s launch capabilities with Mitsubishi Electric’s strengths in the satellite business, we aim to address evolving customer requirements, including those in the global market.”

* A large, coordinated group of artificial satellites working together as a single system