SpaceX Declines Space Force Launch Contracts; Spanish Miura 5 Rocket Nears Maiden Flight

Image: Ars Technica · Source

SpaceX has rejected three US Space Force satellite launch contracts, reflecting strained government-launch provider relations amid rising demand. Meanwhile, Spanish firm PLD Space's Miura 5 rocket advances toward a first launch targeted before mid-2027.

The latest aerospace developments highlight a notable decline in government contracts for SpaceX alongside progress from emerging private rocket companies. SpaceX recently turned down three military satellite launch contracts offered by the US Space Force, as reported by Politico and compiled in Ars Technica's Rocket Report on October 23, 2026. This refusal comes as SpaceX continues to decline Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy contracts broadly, indicating capacity limitations or strategic business decisions amid increasing launch demand.

Brigadier General Eric Zarybnisky, acting portfolio acquisition executive at the Space Force, acknowledged current industry and government "growing pains" as new launch providers work to meet satellite deployment needs. Other launch providers such as United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin are still overcoming technical challenges with their launch vehicles. Despite these setbacks, there is optimism that these companies will soon resume regular operations, relieving the bottleneck currently affecting government satellite launches.

On a different front in the commercial launcher sector, the Spanish company PLD Space is making substantial strides with its Miura 5 rocket. This small-lift vehicle is approaching final integration stages, preparing for a maiden flight that the company now targets before mid-2027. PLD Space has built three Miura 5 rockets, with two already dedicated to qualifying essential systems and performing rigorous testing such as wet dress rehearsals and static hot-fire tests.

Raúl Torres, CEO of PLD Space, emphasized that manufacturing these launch vehicles in parallel allows continuous improvement and lessons learned to be applied effectively. The Miura 5's development is significant for Spain's growing position in launch vehicle manufacturing and European small satellite deployment.

This expansion of launch capability comes amid broader trends in the market where several new medium-lift rockets are under development in the U.S., including vehicles from Stoke Space, Relativity Space, Rocket Lab, and others, marking a new era after more than a decade without new medium-lift rocket debuts in the country.

SpaceX’s decision to decline Space Force military launches highlights capacity constraints despite its dominant commercial market position. Meanwhile, the emergence of new providers like PLD Space signals increasing diversity and competition in the global launch industry, especially in the small-lift segment. The upcoming years will tell how these dynamics evolve in meeting both commercial and government satellite deployment demands.