SpaceX Declines US Space Force Launch Offers
SpaceX declined three military launch contracts offered by the US Space Force, according to an Ars Technica report published on October 23, 2026. The unexpected rejection marks a rare instance of the dominant launch provider turning down national security business, though specific operational or commercial reasons behind the decision were not immediately detailed in the industry roundup.
Alongside the military launch developments, aerospace regulators and panels evaluated civil exploration logistics. A NASA safety panel disclosed that SpaceX’s Starship vehicle may require up to 22 separate in-orbit refuelings to successfully support a crewed lunar landing, highlighting the immense propellant management hurdles remaining for deep space architecture.
PLD Space Advances Miura 5 Integration in Spain
In the small-lift commercial sector, Spanish aerospace manufacturer PLD Space is nearing final integration for its inaugural Miura 5 vehicle, with an initial flight targeted for before mid-2027. According to details cited by Ars Technica, the company has already manufactured three physical Miura 5 rockets, utilizing parallel units for structural qualification and operational testing.
CEO Raúl Torres outlined the production strategy during an October 19 program update, noting that manufacturing multiple test articles simultaneously allows engineering teams to feed lessons learned directly back into the final launch vehicle assembly. One fully integrated Miura 5 second stage has arrived at PLD’s Teruel test facility to initiate rigorous system-level evaluations, including wet dress rehearsals and static hot-fire tests under representative operational conditions.
Canadian Startup Reaction Dynamics Seeks $350 Million Funding
Canadian small-lift launch developer Reaction Dynamics is actively seeking $350 million in capital to scale its operations, aiming to expand its workforce from 68 employees to more than 350. The company is currently developing the Aurora small-lift rocket, which targets an orbital flight debut by 2028.
Looking beyond its initial vehicle family, Reaction Dynamics also announced long-term development plans for a medium-lift rocket named Borealis, with an anticipated debut slated for 2031. These funding and infrastructure goals underscore the heavy capital expenditure required by emerging launch providers aiming to compete in the growing commercial payload market.