SpaceX says no to three military launch deals

SpaceX has declined three military launch contracts offered by the US Space Force. The decision was reported in the latest edition of the Rocket Report published on October 23. The company reportedly told the Space Force 'thanks, but no thanks' regarding the offers. This rejection stands as one of two major developments involving the company reported this week.

On the civil side of the industry, a NASA safety panel provided new data on the Starship vehicle. The panel stated that the spacecraft could require as many as 22 refuelings to support a lunar landing. This figure illustrates the technical demands of the proposed mission architecture for future crewed missions to the Moon.

In Europe, Spanish launch company PLD Space announced that its Miura 5 rocket is approaching final integration. The small-lift vehicle is scheduled for its inaugural flight next year. The company now targets a first launch before mid-2027. Aviation Week reported that one of three Miura 5 vehicles is currently in the final stages of assembly.

PLD Space CEO Raúl Torres stated in an October 19 program update that the other two built vehicles are intended to qualify key system elements. Torres explained that building all three units has enabled teams to work continuously across different production and integration stages. He noted that lessons learned from each qualification campaign are being applied directly to the launch vehicle.

One Miura 5 second stage is now fully integrated. This allows system-level testing to begin under representative operating conditions. The stage is located at PLD's test facility in Teruel. It will undergo a qualification campaign that includes a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test.

In Canada, launch startup Reaction Dynamics is seeking to raise $350 million. The company plans to use the capital to expand its workforce from 68 people to more than 350. Reaction Dynamics is developing a small-lift rocket called Aurora, which it hopes will reach orbit in 2028. The company has also outlined plans for a medium-lift vehicle named Borealis, with a debut targeted by 2031.