The maiden flight of the Spanish-built Miura 1 rocket has been cancelled due to high winds, according to startup PLD Space. The small-scale space launcher was due to fly 100 km above the Earth’s surface from a military base in southern Spain. While that distance would put it in outer space, the rocket is not powerful enough to reach orbit. The sub-orbital launch had been slated to bring a payload with micro-gravity experiments, as well as setting up PLD Space’s plans for future rockets. Companies are rushing to develop launchers to address a growing satellite market. Around 18,500 small orbiters weighing less than 500 kg are projected to be launched in the coming decade, according to analysts from Euroconsult.
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