SpaceX refuses three US military launch deals

SpaceX has declined three launch contracts offered by the US Space Force. The company communicated its refusal to the military branch this week, according to a report released on Thursday, October 23.

The decision leaves the Space Force without the requested launch capacity for those specific missions. The company’s response was blunt, with SpaceX telling the service "thanks, but no thanks." This refusal stands as one of two major developments involving the firm in the current reporting cycle.

Simultaneously, a NASA safety panel issued a technical assessment regarding SpaceX’s Starship vehicle. The panel indicated that a lunar landing mission could require as many as 22 refueling operations. This figure represents the upper limit of the refueling sequence necessary to support the mission architecture.

The refueling requirement highlights the operational complexity of the Starship program. The panel’s estimate suggests that the infrastructure needed to sustain a crewed lunar landing will demand extensive orbital maneuvering.

In Spain, PLD Space is advancing its Miura 5 rocket program. The company stated that one of three built vehicles is nearing final integration. CEO Raúl Torres confirmed during a program update on October 19 that the other two vehicles are designated for qualifying key system elements. This parallel production strategy allows engineering teams to apply lessons from qualification campaigns directly to the flight-ready hardware.

The Miura 5 program targets a first launch before mid-2027. One second stage is currently fully integrated and located at the company’s Teruel test facility. It will undergo a qualification campaign that includes a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test. These tests are designed to verify system performance under representative operating conditions.

Across the Atlantic, Canadian launch startup Reaction Dynamics is seeking $350 million in funding. The capital is intended to expand the company’s workforce from 68 employees to more than 350. Reaction Dynamics is developing the Aurora small-lift rocket, with a target orbital debut in 2028. The company has also outlined plans for the Borealis medium-lift vehicle, which is targeted to debut by 2031.