SpaceX Declines Military Contracts as Competitors Seek Major Capital
SpaceX turned down three U.S. Space Force launch contracts, while other rocket firms pursue large funding rounds and upcoming test milestones.
By Jonathan Pierce ·
SpaceX has declined three launch contracts offered by the U.S. Space Force, according to a Thursday report. The company's decision to turn down the work was one of two significant developments involving SpaceX this week. A separate report from a NASA safety panel indicated that the company's Starship vehicle could require up to 22 refueling missions to support a lunar landing.
The aerospace sector's financial landscape continues to shift as companies pursue growth. Reaction Dynamics, a Canadian launch startup, is seeking to raise $350 million. The funding round is intended to expand the company's staff from its current level of 68 to more than 350 people.
Reaction Dynamics is developing the small-lift Aurora rocket, with the company targeting an orbital launch in 2028. The firm has also announced plans to build a medium-lift rocket, Borealis, which is scheduled for a debut by 2031.
Meanwhile, PLD Space is advancing its own launch vehicle program. The company's Miura 5 rocket is nearing final integration, and its first flight is targeted for before mid-2027. PLD Space has manufactured three Miura 5 vehicles; the other two are designed to qualify key system elements.
PLD Space CEO Raúl Torres stated in an October 19 program update that manufacturing the three vehicles has 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.
One Miura 5 second stage has been fully integrated to begin system-level testing under representative operating conditions. The stage is located at PLD's Teruel test facility for a qualification campaign, which includes a wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test.
The developments highlight the varied paths being taken across the launch industry. While SpaceX is opting out of specific government work, other firms are securing capital to scale operations, and European manufacturers are preparing vehicles for qualification testing.
The immediate focus will be on whether PLD Space completes its planned test campaign and whether Reaction Dynamics secures the funding it has requested. The timeline for any potential future SpaceX involvement in the offered military launch contracts remains unaddressed.
Source: Ars Technica
