The company PLD Space said the first flight of Spain’s first rocket was canceled on Saturday after the countdown ended due to a last-minute technical issue. Raul Torres, co-founder of PLD, launched Miura 1 in the southwestern province of Huelva because some of the hose cables used to power and fuel the rockets failed to exit properly.

“We will analyze the data to have more information,” he added.

The launch of Miura 1, named after a breed of bull, was originally scheduled for May 31, but was delayed due to strong winds. Just 12 meters (40 feet) long, the tiny reusable rocket would fly 100 kilometers (62 miles) above Earth.

Although this distance allows it to reach space, the rocket is not powerful enough to reach orbit. Saturday’s suborbital launch would carry some microgravity experimentation. Companies are rushing to develop launch vehicles to meet the growing satellite market.

According to Euroconsult analysts, about 18,500 small orbiters weighing less than 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) are expected to be launched in the next decade. Source