PLD Space, based in Elche (Alicante), has incorporated Candace Johnson to its board of directors as a new independent director, whom the company defines as "one of the most relevant and influential figures in the global space industry," according to the aerospace company's statement.
The Elche-based firm considers Johnson's entry to be "a strategic milestone" for the organization, as it "reinforces its corporate governance and global vision at a decisive phase of growth, marked by the first test flight of Miura 5, and its consolidation as a key player in ensuring independent and global access to space."
The company further emphasizes that the arrival of this specialist "also includes unparalleled experience and a network of contacts in the global space and telecommunications ecosystem."
Ezequiel Sánchez, Executive Chairman of PLD Space, stated that "it is a true honor to welcome Candace to our board of directors" and remarked that "her career and her deep knowledge of the industry are invaluable."
In the same vein, he stressed that "having her strategic perspective will be a key asset as we advance in our mission to become a world 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."
For her part, Johnson emphasized that "access to space is one of the most critical issues facing the trillion-dollar space economy." She also indicated: "I am delighted to have been elected to the board of directors of PLD Space, one of the select group of private companies worldwide developing complete launch systems, enabling global access to space supported by a strategic network of locations around the world."
Candace Johnson's Career
As explained by PLD Space, Johnson, "noted for her extensive career," is recognized as "one of the architects of the modern commercial space sector." In 1983, she participated in the founding of Société Européenne des Satellites (SES) and was the main driving force behind SES Global, which today "is the world's largest operator of satellite networks," managing platforms such as Astra, Intelsat, and Galaxy.
Subsequently, she launched Teleport Europe, considered the first cross-border European satellite communications company, and Europe Online, the first global-scale Internet-based online service and satellite broadband network.
Likewise, she played a "key role" in promoting Iridium and International Launch Services (ILS), the joint venture created between Krunichev and Lockheed Martin in 1995. Currently, she serves as a partner and chairwoman of the advisory board of Seraphim Space, "the world's largest venture capital fund specializing in the sector."
Johnson recalled that "I have closely followed PLD Space's trajectory since I first introduced them to a group of private European business angels at the EBAN (European Business Angels Network) Congress held in Porto in 2015, and it is a great source of satisfaction for me to see how their resilient and reusable launch technology has been pre-selected by the ESA for the European Launcher Challenge, as well as to note that their financial and business plans have the support and investment of world-class institutions and investors such as Mitsubishi Electric and the European Investment Bank."
Furthermore, she emphasized: "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 the public and private sectors worldwide to access and use space and its resources for the greater benefit of humanity."
Recent Milestones of PLD Space
Johnson's appointment, making her the first woman to join PLD Space's board of directors, comes after several "milestones that consolidate the company's leadership." These include the closing of a €180 million funding round led by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, the granting of a €30 million loan by the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the pre-selection by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the European Launcher Challenge (ELC) program, as highlighted by the company.