PLD Space Appoints Space Industry Pioneer Candace Johnson as Independent Board Member
PLD Space, an international space transportation company, has appointed Candace Johnson, one of the most prominent and influential figures in the global space industry, as a new independent board member.
Johnson's arrival represents a strategic milestone for the company, strengthening its corporate governance and global vision during a decisive phase of growth. This phase is marked by the first test flight of MIURA 5 and the company's consolidation as a key player in ensuring independent and global access to space. Her appointment also brings matchless experience and an unparalleled network of contacts within the global space and telecommunications ecosystem.
“It is a true honor to welcome Candace to our Board of Directors,” commented Ezequiel Sánchez, Executive President of PLD Space. “Her career and deep knowledge of the industry are invaluable. Having her strategic perspective will be a key asset as we advance our mission to become a global leader in space transportation. Her decision to join us is the greatest possible validation that our technology, our team, and our business vision are heading in the right direction.”
On the other side, Candace Johnson added, “Access to space is one of the most critical issues facing the trillion-dollar space economy, and I am delighted to have been chosen for the Board of Directors of PLD Space, one of a select group of private companies globally developing complete launch systems, enabling global access to space supported by a strategic network of locations worldwide.”
Renowned for her extensive career, Candace Johnson is one of the architects of the modern commercial space sector. In 1983, she co-founded the Société Européenne des Satellites (SES) and was the chief architect for SES Global, which is today the world's largest satellite network operator (Astra, Intelsat, Galaxy). Later, she started Teleport Europe, Europe’s first trans-border satellite communications company and Europe Online, the world’s first Internet-based online service and Satellite Broadband Network. She also played a key role in the development of Iridium, and of ILS (International Launch Services, the joint venture between Krunichev and Lockheed Martin in 1995). Currently, she is a partner and chair of the advisory board at Seraphim Space, the world's largest venture capital fund specializing in the sector.
“I have followed PLD Space's journey since I first introduced them to a group of private European business angels at the EBAN (European Business Angel Network) Congress in Porto back in 2015. It is highly satisfying for me to see how their resilient and reusable launch technology has been pre-selected by ESA for the European Launcher Challenge, and to see that their financial and business plans are backed and invested in by world-class institutions and investors like Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and the European Investment Bank,” concluded Johnson. “As everyone knows, I am a fervent advocate for entrepreneurs and the democratization of space. I look forward to working with the great team at PLD Space to help them enable public and private sectors worldwide to access and utilize space and its resources for the ultimate benefit of humanity.”
The appointment of Candace Johnson, the first woman to join the PLD Space Board, comes after a series of milestones that consolidate PLD Space's leadership, such as closing a €180 million funding round led by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, securing a €30 million financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB), and being pre-selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the European Launcher Challenge (ELC) program.