SpaceX Says No To Military Deals

SpaceX has told the US Space Force it will not take on three specific military launch contracts. The company used the phrase "thanks, but no thanks" to convey its decision. This move reduces the volume of work available to private providers for defense missions. It also shifts the balance of power in the commercial launch market.

The rejection came alongside another update from the civil sector. A NASA safety review panel evaluated the requirements for SpaceX's Starship. The panel determined that the vehicle might require as many as 22 refueling stops. This number applies to the architecture needed to support a lunar landing mission. The high count indicates the complexity of the fueling process.

In Spain, PLD Space is moving its Miura 5 rocket toward its debut. The company confirmed that one of the three built vehicles is undergoing final integration. This specific unit is the first launch vehicle of the trio. The other two units are being used to test and qualify key system components before they are installed on the flight article.

PLD Space CEO Raúl Torres outlined the production strategy in an update on October 19. He stated that building three units simultaneously allowed staff to work without interruption. Teams moved directly from production stages to integration phases. This continuous workflow lets engineers apply lessons from testing one vehicle immediately to the next. The company now targets a first launch before mid-2027.

The integrated second stage is currently at the Teruel test facility. Engineers are beginning system-level testing under conditions that mimic actual operation. The qualification campaign for this stage includes a wet dress rehearsal. It also includes a static hot-fire test to verify engine performance under load.

In Canada, startup Reaction Dynamics is seeking a new round of funding. The company aims to raise $350 million to support its growth. The capital will help expand the workforce from its current headcount of 68 to more than 350. Reaction Dynamics is developing the Aurora small-lift rocket. The company hopes to reach orbit with that vehicle in 2028. It has also announced plans for a medium-lift rocket named Borealis, with a target debut by 2031.