SpaceX turns down military launch contracts; Spanish rocket nears first flight

SpaceX has turned down three military launch contracts, signaling a shift in its strategy as the company focuses on other priorities. This decision comes as the US Space Force offered the contracts, but SpaceX chose to say no. At the same time, Spain’s Miura 5 rocket is nearing its first flight, with the company targeting a launch before mid-2027. PLD Space has already manufactured three Miura 5 rockets, with two designed to test key system elements. The rocket’s second stage is now fully integrated and undergoing system-level testing, marking a major step toward its debut.

The Miura 5 rocket is one of three manufactured by PLD Space, with the other two designed to qualify key system elements. The company’s CEO, Raúl Torres, said that manufacturing these three vehicles has allowed the teams to work continuously across different stages of production and integration, applying the lessons learned from each qualification campaign directly to the launch vehicle. One Miura 5 second stage is now fully integrated to kick off system-level testing under representative operating conditions.

PLD Space has already manufactured three Miura 5 rockets, with two designed to qualify key system elements. The rocket’s second stage is now fully integrated and undergoing system-level testing, marking a major step toward its debut. The company’s CEO, Raúl Torres, said that manufacturing these three vehicles has allowed the 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 Miura 5 rocket is one of three manufactured by PLD Space, with the other two designed to qualify key system elements. The company’s CEO, Raúl Torres, said that manufacturing these three vehicles has allowed the teams to work continuously across different stages of production and integration, applying the lessons learned from each qualification campaign directly to the launch vehicle.

SpaceX has turned down three military launch contracts, signaling a shift in its strategy as the company focuses on other priorities. This decision comes as the US Space Force offered the contracts, but SpaceX chose to say no.

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 Reaction Dynamics 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’s second stage is now fully integrated and undergoing system-level testing, marking a major step toward its debut. PLD Space has already manufactured three Miura 5 rockets, with two designed to qualify key system elements.

The Miura 5 rocket is one of three manufactured by PLD Space, with the other two designed to qualify key system elements.

The rocket’s second stage is now fully integrated and undergoing system-level testing, marking a major step toward its debut.