Name: Maiden Flight — Miura 5
Start: 2026-12-31T00:00:00Z
End: 2026-12-31T00:00:00Z
Location: Diamant Launch Area

Question 1

What rocket is launching Maiden Flight?

Accepted Answer

Maiden Flight is launching on the Miura 5.

Question 2

Who is launching Maiden Flight?

Accepted Answer

Maiden Flight is being launched by Payload Aerospace S.L., a commercial launch provider founded in 2011.

Question 3

Where is Maiden Flight launching from?

Accepted Answer

Maiden Flight is launching from Diamant Launch Area at Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana.

Question 4

What orbit is Maiden Flight heading to?

Accepted Answer

Maiden Flight is heading to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO).

Question 5

Is the Miura 5 reusable?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the Miura 5 is designed to be reused, with boosters that can fly multiple missions.

Question 6

What is the Maiden Flight mission?

Accepted Answer

First flight of the Miura 5 launch vehicle.

Question 7

Where is the Guiana Space Centre?

Accepted Answer

The Guiana Space Centre (Centre Spatial Guyanais) is Europe's spaceport, near Kourou in French Guiana on the north-east coast of South America. It has been operational since 1968.

Question 8

Who operates the Guiana Space Centre?

Accepted Answer

France's space agency CNES runs the site, the European Space Agency (ESA) owns the launch infrastructure, and Arianespace operates the launch services.

Question 9

Which rockets launch from Kourou?

Accepted Answer

Current launches fly Ariane 6 from the ELA-4 complex and the lighter Vega-C from its dedicated pad. The James Webb Space Telescope launched from here on an Ariane 5 in 2021.

Question 10

Why launch from French Guiana?

Accepted Answer

Sitting just 5° north of the equator, the spaceport gives rockets a strong eastward boost from Earth's rotation and a clear path out over the Atlantic — a major advantage for reaching the geostationary orbits many large satellites need.

Maiden Flight

Overview

Mission details

Launch Window

Diamant Launch Area

Guiana Space Centre, French Guiana

Frequently asked questions