SpaceX turns down military launch contracts as new rocket nears readiness

SpaceX has turned down three military launch contracts, surprising many in the industry. This comes as the company’s Starship may require up to 22 refuelings to support a lunar landing, according to a NASA safety panel. Meanwhile, PLD Space’s Miura 5 rocket is nearly ready for its first flight, with one second stage fully integrated and system-level testing underway. The company has manufactured three Miura 5 rockets, with two designed to qualify key system elements. PLD Space now targets a first flight of the small-lift vehicle before mid-2027.

In a separate development, Reaction Dynamics, one of three prominent Canadian launch startups, is seeking to raise $350 million to grow its staff from 68 to more than 350 people. The company is developing the small-lift Aurora rocket, which it hopes will reach orbit in 2028. Reaction Dynamics also announced plans to build a medium-lift rocket, Borealis, for a debut by 2031.

The Rocket Report highlights these developments, offering a weekly update on the latest in space news. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to stay updated on all the latest in space exploration. Each report includes information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets, as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar.

PLD Space’s Miura 5 rocket is now nearly ready for its inaugural launch next year, as the company has completed the manufacturing of three Miura 5 rockets. The other two rockets are designed to qualify key system elements, with one Miura 5 second stage now fully integrated and system-level testing underway. The second stage is at PLD’s Teruel test facility for its qualification campaign, including wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test. The company’s CEO Raúl Torres said that the manufacturing of these three vehicles has allowed teams to work continuously across different stages of production and integration.

Reaction Dynamics is seeking to raise $350 million to grow its staff from 68 to more than 350 people. The company is developing the small-lift Aurora rocket, which it hopes will reach orbit in 2028. Reaction Dynamics also announced plans to build a medium-lift rocket, Borealis, for a debut by 2031. The company is one of three prominent Canadian launch startups, and the other two are also working on developing new rockets.

The Rocket Report is a weekly update on the latest in space news, and readers are encouraged to subscribe to stay updated on all the latest in space exploration. Each report includes information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets, as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar. Readers are encouraged to submit their own news and updates to the Rocket Report.

The Rocket Report is a weekly update on the latest in space news, and readers are encouraged to subscribe to stay updated on all the latest in space exploration. Each report includes information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets, as well as a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar. Readers are encouraged to submit their own news and updates to the Rocket Report. The report is written by the staff news writer for Viral Newz Digest, a national news outlet that brings big-city news to a national audience.