MADRID, June 14 (Reuters) - Spanish startup PLD Space has signed a memorandum of understanding with France's Arianespace to develop joint services to launch small satellites into orbit, the Spanish company said on Wednesday.
The agreement will allow PLD Space to offer its customisable services to Arianespace customers, it said in a statement.
It plans to gradually increase its capacity to 10 to 12 launches per year by the end of this decade.
Europe's efforts to develop capabilities to send small satellites into space are in focus after a failed orbital rocket launch by Virgin Orbit from Britain in January.
Arianespace, which launches satellites from French Guiana, is majority owned by ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus (AIR.PA) and Safran (SAF.PA).
Persons:
France's Arianespace, Ezequiel Sanchez, Safran, Emma Pinedo, Inti Landauro, Mark Potter, Richard Chang
Organizations:
Virgin Orbit, ArianeGroup, Airbus, Thomson
Locations:
MADRID, Spanish, Spain, Britain, Guiana