SpaceX rejects three US military launch bids; Spain targets 2027 rocket debut

SpaceX has turned down three launch contracts offered by the US Space Force.

The company declined the military work, according to the Rocket Report published on October 23.

SpaceX told the Space Force "thanks, but no thanks" regarding the offers.

A second surprise came from the civil side of the industry.

A NASA safety panel stated that Starship may require as many as 22 refuelings to support a lunar landing.

The figure highlights the demanding nature of the mission architecture.

In Europe, Spanish launch company PLD Space is nearing final integration of its Miura 5 rocket.

Aviation Week reports that the small-lift vehicle is due to make its inaugural flight before mid-2027.

PLD Space has built three Miura 5 vehicles.

CEO Raúl Torres said on October 19 that the other two vehicles are meant to qualify key system elements.

Torres noted that building all three allowed teams to work continuously across 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 in a program update on October 19, 2026, per Aviation Week reporting cited in the Rocket Report. Note: The source attributes the quote to an October 19 program update, but the report is dated Oct 23. The quote is from the source text: "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," he said. I will stick to the source's attribution style if possible, or just attribute to Torres. The source says "CEO Raúl Torres said in an October 19 program update..". I will use that date relative to the article date (2026-10-23), so it was four days ago. Wait, the prompt says "Refer to time relative to the article date (2026-10-23)." So October 19 is in the past. I will just say "last week" or keep the date. Let's keep the date for precision or say "in an update on October 19". Actually, simpler is better. "Torres said in an October 19 update.." is fine. The source says "CEO Raúl Torres said in an October 19 program update..". I will use that. One Miura 5 second stage is now fully integrated. This allows system-level testing under representative operating conditions to begin. The stage is at PLD's Teruel test facility for its qualification campaign. The campaign includes a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test. In Canada, startup Reaction Dynamics says it wants to raise $350 million. The money would help the company expand its workforce from 68 people to more than 350. The company is developing a small-lift rocket called Aurora, which it hopes will reach orbit in 2028. It has also announced plans for a medium-lift vehicle named Borealis, targeted to debut by 2031.