SpaceX Passes on Space Force Offers

SpaceX declined three military launch contracts offered by the US Space Force, according to the Rocket Report published October 23. The company told the Space Force "thanks, but no thanks," the report said. No reason for the decision was given in the report.

A NASA safety panel said the same day that SpaceX's Starship could require up to 22 refueling flights to support a lunar landing, a figure that would raise the demand on the vehicle's mission architecture.

In Spain, PLD Space reports its Miura 5 rocket is nearing final integration, according to Aviation Week. The small-lift vehicle is scheduled to fly for the first time next year, with PLD targeting a launch before mid-2027.

The rocket in integration is one of three Miura 5 vehicles the company has built. CEO Raúl Torres said in an October 19 program update that the other two exist to qualify key system elements. "Manufacturing these three vehicles has allowed our teams to work continuously across different stages of production and integration, applying the lessons learned from each qualification campaign directly to the launch vehicle," he said.

One Miura 5 second stage is now fully integrated, which lets system-level testing under representative operating conditions begin. That stage is at PLD's Teruel test facility for a qualification campaign that includes a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test.

In Canada, Reaction Dynamics says it wants to raise $350 million, spaceQ reports. The company would use the funds to grow its workforce from 68 people to more than 350. Reaction Dynamics is developing the small-lift Aurora rocket, which it hopes to reach orbit in 2028, and has announced plans for a medium-lift Borealis vehicle targeted to debut by 2031.