- PLD Space's first contract with ESA in GNC to create the HALCÓN software
- Project co-financed 50% by ESA and PLD Space, with a budget of 995.705 euros
- HAWK will merge IMU and GNSS for precise navigation and controlled landings
- COTS technology with centimeter accuracy and the basis for a future European AFTS
PLD Space has taken a significant step in its roadmap by signing with the European Space Agency its first contract in Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC). The Elche-based company will develop HALCÓN, a hybrid navigation system designed for reusable rockets and aimed at improving precision during flight and controlled landings.
The agreement, managed through the ESA ESTEC Centre, includes a budget of 995.705 euros, co-financed 50% between the agency and the company, which will retain ownership development. The goal is to increase the accuracy of maneuvers on launchers such as MIURA 5 and MIURA Next, which is key to advancing reusability.
HAWK: What it is and why it matters
HAWK will combine inertial data (IMU) with satellite navigation signals (GNSS) —such as Galileo or GPS— to get one high-precision navigation during ascent, re-entry and the final stages of descent, where a large part of operational safety is at stake.
Approaches that rely only on pure inertial systems These tend to make the system more expensive and degrade its accuracy during prolonged operations. By hybridizing with GNSS, the company seeks a balance between cost, reliability and performance, adapted to a demanding mission profile and with room to scale.
HALCÓN's design relies on COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) components to cut down on time and costs, while aiming for a centimeter precisionThis combination aims to improve flight safety and operational efficiency without increasing the budget.
In addition to optimizing descent maneuvers, the solution is conceived as an enabler for the reuse in MIURA 5 and MIURA Next, a basic requirement to increase the launch rate and strengthen competitiveness in the small satellite segment.
An agreement framed in NAVISP / Element 2
The contract is registered in NAVISP / Element 2, a program through which ESA promotes European innovation in Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT). PLD Space's proposal was selected in the Spanish call launched in November 2024 by ESA and the European agency itself.
Following a technical and commercial evaluation, the plan received a positive rating for its fit with market demand, technical competitiveness, and business strategy. The company said: Raul Verdu He highlighted that this step will help refine landing maneuvers, reduce external dependencies, and move toward autonomous flight termination capabilities in Europe.
The development will be carried out entirely by the engineering team of PLD Space with technical support from ESA, fitting into the firm's planning towards 2030. The company, founded by Raúl Torres and Raúl Verdú, already has more than 300 employees and more than 12.500 m² in facilities spread between Elche, Teruel, Kourou and Duqm.
Impact for Europe and for the Spanish industry
HAWK contributes to the European autonomy in access to space by facilitating controlled landings and stage reuse, two elements that reduce costs and increase service flexibility. The technology also lays the foundation for a European Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS), which has not yet been authorized on the continent.
The use of standard components and a scalability-oriented design opens the door to a substantial reduction in development costs, while increasing safety and reliability. For Spain, the project strengthens the role of its industrial network in next-generation launchers.
Next steps and scope of the project
In the next phase, the company plans to advance in integration and progressive validations of algorithms and components, with a focus on robust guidance and control during critical flight and landing scenarios.
The technology will be incorporated incrementally into the company's testing and qualification plans, aligned with its technological roadmap towards reusability and higher levels of operational autonomy throughout this decade.
With the support of ESA and the selection of ESTEC, PLD Space is undertaking a project that combines Hybrid IMU+GNSS navigation, centimeter-level accuracy, and use of COTS to facilitate the reuse of its launchers. The €995.705 budget and its integration into NAVISP/Element 2 reinforce HALCÓN's strategic component as a basis for future European systems, including autonomous flight termination systems, and consolidate the Spanish company's position at the forefront of next-generation space transportation.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.