SpaceX Turns Down Military Launch Work Amid New Space Safety Concerns

SpaceX is at the center of two significant developments this week. The company recently declined three military launch contracts offered by the US Space Force. Separately, a NASA safety panel has raised concerns regarding the extensive refueling operations that may be required for a crewed lunar landing using the Starship system.

The refueling estimate from the safety panel is substantial, indicating that up to 22 refueling missions could be necessary to support a single mission to the Moon. This figure highlights the complexity of the operations planned for the Starship vehicle. No specific reason for SpaceX declining the military contracts was provided in the report.

Meanwhile, international launch preparations are advancing at PLD Space. The company reports that its Miura 5 rocket is approaching final integration for its inaugural flight. This specific vehicle is one of three Miura 5 rockets manufactured by the firm, with the others intended to qualify essential system components for future operations.

Raúl Torres, the CEO of PLD Space, addressed the production timeline during an October 19 update. He noted that the manufacture of these three vehicles has allowed his teams to work continuously across different stages of production and integration, applying the lessons learned from each qualification campaign directly to the launch vehicle. The company is targeting a first flight of this small-lift vehicle before mid-2027.

PLD Space has moved a second stage for the Miura 5 to its test facility in Teruel. This hardware has completed full integration and will undergo system-level testing under representative operating conditions. The qualification campaign for this component includes a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test.

Reaction Dynamics, a startup based in Canada, is also moving forward with expansion plans. The company is seeking to raise $350 million to grow its staff from 68 to more than 350 people. This fundraising effort is intended to support the development of their hardware and future missions.

The funding will support work on the Aurora, a small-lift rocket that Reaction Dynamics aims to reach orbit with in 2028. Additionally, the company has announced plans to build a medium-lift rocket named Borealis, with a debut scheduled for 2031. These efforts represent a significant scaling up of their operations.

Looking ahead, the schedule for upcoming launches remains active. The next three launches on the calendar are expected to proceed as planned in the coming days. Readers interested in tracking these events can follow launch coverage as it develops.

For those following the progress of these vehicles, updates regarding the Miura 5 integration and funding efforts for Reaction Dynamics are expected to continue. No further details regarding the SpaceX contract declinations were released at this time.