SpaceX declines three Space Force contracts as Spain's Miura 5 enters final testing

SpaceX has turned down three military launch contracts from the United States Space Force, a decision that shifts the balance of federal launch demand to competitors. The company reportedly communicated the refusal to the Space Force with the phrase "thanks, but no thanks," according to an industry report published on October 23.

The rejection stands as one of two major developments involving SpaceX in the current reporting cycle. On the civil side, a NASA safety review panel indicated that the company's Starship vehicle may require as many as 22 refuelings to support a lunar landing. That figure represents the upper limit of the proposed mission architecture for the lunar surface operations.

In Spain, launch provider PLD Space stated that its Miura 5 rocket is nearing final integration. The small-lift vehicle is scheduled for its inaugural flight next year, with the company targeting a first launch before mid-2027. Aviation Week reported that the rocket currently in final assembly is one of three Miura 5 units constructed to date.

PLD Space CEO Raúl Torres explained on October 19 that the remaining two vehicles serve to qualify key system elements. He noted that building all three units simultaneously allowed engineering teams to work continuously across different production and integration stages. "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 second stage of the Miura 5 is now fully integrated, enabling system-level testing under representative operating conditions. That stage is located at the company's test facility in Teruel, where it will undergo a qualification campaign. The testing schedule includes a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test to verify performance before the first orbital attempt.

In Canada, startup Reaction Dynamics announced a plan to raise $350 million to expand its operations. The company currently employs 68 people and intends to grow its workforce to more than 350 with the new capital. It is developing a small-lift rocket named Aurora, which it hopes will reach orbit in 2028, and has announced a medium-lift vehicle called Borealis targeted for debut by 2031.