Launch Market: SpaceX and Emerging Players

A significant divergence in aerospace strategy became clear this week, as SpaceX turned down three military launch contracts offered by the U.S. Space Force. The decision to decline this work contrasts sharply with ongoing efforts by other firms to secure funding and develop new launch vehicles for the defense and civil sectors.

While SpaceX passed on the military assignments, a NASA safety panel issued a separate, concerning figure regarding the company's civil program. The panel indicated that SpaceX's Starship could require as many as 22 refueling missions to support a lunar landing. This requirement underscores the technical complexity involved in sustaining operations in deep space.

In Europe, PLD Space is moving closer to the initial flight of its Miura 5 rocket. CEO Raúl Torres reported on October 19 that the vehicle is nearing final integration and is one of three Miura 5 rockets the company has manufactured. The additional units were produced to qualify key system elements. The company is currently targeting a first flight for the small-lift vehicle before mid-2027.

The manufacturing process has enabled the company to maintain continuous work across different stages of production. Torres stated, "Manufacturing these three vehicles has allowed our teams to work continuously across different stages of production, applying the lessons learned from each qualification campaign directly to the launch vehicle."

Currently, one Miura 5 second stage has been fully integrated to begin system-level testing under representative operating conditions. This stage is located at PLD's Teruel test facility for its qualification campaign, which will include a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test.

Financial preparations are also underway at Reaction Dynamics, a Canadian startup developing the small-lift Aurora rocket. The company is seeking to raise $350 million to expand its staff from 68 to more than 350 people. Reaction Dynamics aims to reach orbit with Aurora in 2028 and has announced plans to build a medium-lift rocket named Borealis, scheduled for a debut by 2031.