3 Military Contracts Offered, 0 Accepted

If you follow the business of getting things into orbit, a couple of recent announcements could reshape who builds the next generation of spacecraft. SpaceX has declined to accept a proposal for three upcoming United States military launch contracts, a move that came to light on Thursday. In other developments, a Spanish company is preparing for a static fire test, and a Canadian firm is looking to raise a significant sum of money to expand its workforce.

The numbers behind these stories show the scale of the plans involved. For its part, Reaction Dynamics, a prominent Canadian launch startup, is seeking to raise $350 million. This funding would be used to grow its staff from 68 people to more than 350. The company is developing the small-lift Aurora rocket, which it hopes will reach orbit in 2028, and has also announced plans for a medium-lift rocket named Borealis, targeted for a debut by 2031. Meanwhile, PLD Space's Miura 5 rocket, which is scheduled for an inaugural launch next year, is nearing final integration. The company is targeting a first flight for the small-lift vehicle before mid-2027.

Several key individuals are steering these developments. Raúl Torres, the CEO of PLD Space, discussed the rocket's progress in an October 19 program update, noting that the company has manufactured three Miura 5 rockets. He stated that the creation of these three vehicles has allowed his teams to work continuously across different stages of production and integration. This approach, he explained, has enabled them to apply lessons learned from each qualification campaign directly to the launch vehicle. One of the second stages for the Miura 5 has been fully integrated and is now at the Teruel test facility to begin its qualification campaign.

The stakes for these companies and agencies are considerable. The refusal by SpaceX to take on the military contracts could open opportunities for other launch providers within the US Space Force. The ongoing development of new rockets, such as the Miura 5, Aurora, and Borealis, points to a growing number of players in the launch industry. Furthermore, a NASA safety panel recently reported that supporting a lunar landing may require up to 22 refuelings of SpaceX's Starship, a detail that highlights the complexity of upcoming missions. These developments underscore the continued activity in both civil and military space programs as new vehicles and capabilities are prepared for the future.

PLD Space is preparing for its qualification campaign for one of the Miura 5 second stages, which will take place at its Teruel test facility. This campaign is set to include a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test. The company has manufactured three of these rockets, with two intended to qualify key system elements for the vehicle.

The aerospace industry continues to see new developments from various companies. Reaction Dynamics is preparing to launch the Aurora rocket, while also planning the development of the Borealis medium-lift rocket. PLD Space is working toward the first flight of its Miura 5 rocket. These efforts are part of a broader push to expand launch capabilities for both commercial and government needs.