SpaceX declines three military launch contracts while PLD Space finalizes Miura 5

SpaceX made a notable strategic move this week by declining three launch contracts offered by the US Space Force. The company communicated its decision to the military branch, effectively passing on the immediate work despite the financial implications. This move stands out in a market where securing government contracts is often a primary revenue driver for launch providers.

The decision comes as the company continues to refine its commercial operations. By saying no to these specific military payloads, SpaceX may be prioritizing its internal schedule or reserving capacity for other high-value missions. Analysts note that such selective acceptance allows a dominant player to manage its launch cadence more carefully, potentially preserving resources for its own ambitious development programs.

Simultaneously, on the civil space front, a NASA safety panel highlighted technical challenges for SpaceX’s Starship vehicle. The panel indicated that a lunar landing mission could require up to 22 refueling operations. This figure underscores the complexity of the in-space propellant transfer technology that SpaceX must master before it can achieve its long-term goals in deep space exploration.

In Europe, PLD Space is advancing its Miura 5 rocket, a small-lift vehicle scheduled for its inaugural flight next year. The company reports that the rocket is nearing final integration stages. CEO Raúl Torres confirmed that the team has completed the manufacturing of three Miura 5 vehicles. The first two were designed to qualify key system elements, while the third is the dedicated launch vehicle. Torres stated that the manufacturing process allowed teams to apply lessons learned from each qualification campaign directly to the final launch vehicle.

PLD Space is currently targeting a first flight of the Miura 5 before mid-2027. One second stage of the rocket is now fully integrated to begin system-level testing. This stage is undergoing a qualification campaign at the company’s Teruel test facility. The testing includes a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test, which are critical steps to verify performance under representative operating conditions before an actual orbital attempt.

Across the Atlantic, Canadian startup Reaction Dynamics is seeking to raise $350 million to expand its operations. The company plans to use the capital to grow its staff from 68 employees to more than 350. This significant hiring push supports the development of its Aurora small-lift rocket, which the company hopes will reach orbit in 2028. Reaction Dynamics is one of three prominent Canadian launch startups currently active in the market.

Reaction Dynamics also announced plans to develop a medium-lift rocket named Borealis. The company targets a debut for this larger vehicle by 2031. These financial and development milestones reflect a broader trend in the global launch industry, where new entrants are aggressively scaling up to compete with established players and capture a larger share of the growing orbital access market.

These developments illustrate the current state of the launch industry, characterized by both consolidation at the top and rapid expansion at the bottom. While SpaceX navigates its relationship with government clients, startups in Spain and Canada are pushing forward with their own vehicles. The coming months will be critical for PLD Space and Reaction Dynamics as they transition from development to active launch campaigns.