SpaceX turns down three US military launch deals

SpaceX has declined three launch contracts from the US Space Force. The company told the military branch it was passing on the work, according to the Rocket Report published on Thursday, October 23. This decision reduces the number of commercial partners currently bidding on specific military payloads in the near term.

The rejection was one of two major updates involving SpaceX reported that day. On the civilian side, a NASA safety panel estimated that the Starship vehicle might require up to 22 refueling operations to support a lunar landing. That figure reflects the complexity of the proposed mission architecture for the crewed lunar program.

In Europe, PLD Space is moving its Miura 5 rocket toward its final assembly phase. The Spanish company targets a first launch before mid-2027. The vehicle is a small-lift rocket designed to carry payloads into orbit from the European Spaceport in Andalusia.

PLD Space has built three Miura 5 vehicles. CEO Raúl Torres explained on October 19 that two of the rockets are intended to qualify key system elements. This strategy allows engineering teams to work across different stages of production simultaneously. "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," Torres said.

One Miura 5 second stage is now fully integrated at the company's test facility in Teruel. This integration allows system-level testing to begin under representative operating conditions. The qualification campaign for this stage includes a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test.

In Canada, Reaction Dynamics is raising $350 million to expand its operations. The startup currently employs 68 people and plans to grow its workforce to more than 350. The capital will support the development of its Aurora rocket, which the company hopes will reach orbit in 2028. Reaction Dynamics has also announced plans for a medium-lift vehicle called Borealis, targeted for a debut by 2031.

PLD Space will continue its qualification testing at the Teruel facility. Reaction Dynamics will proceed with its fundraising efforts to support the Aurora and Borealis programs. SpaceX will continue its current launch operations without the three declined military contracts.