Rocket Report: SpaceX says no thanks to military launches; Spanish rocket nearly ready

Key Points:

• SpaceX declined three future military launch contracts offered by the US Space Force, with no other providers available due to setbacks faced by United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin, highlighting capacity challenges in government space missions.
• PLD Space's Miura 5 rocket is nearing final integration ahead of its planned inaugural launch before mid-2027, while Canadian startup Reaction Dynamics aims to raise $350 million to develop its small-lift Aurora rocket for 2028 and a medium-lift Borealis rocket by 2031.
• Japan launched its $578 million Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission on October 16, targeting sample return from Mars' moon Phobos, marking Japan's most ambitious interplanetary mission to date.
• NASA's safety panel estimates up to 22 refuelings may be required for SpaceX's Starship lunar landing, though Elon Musk contests this, suggesting 6 to 8 refuelings; meanwhile, SpaceX plans to attempt catching both the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage on its next test flight.
• Blue Origin is expanding its Florida launch facilities with two additional New Glenn launch pads and a new manufacturing plant for upper stages, aiming to increase launch cadence to over 100 rockets annually and improve mission processing capabilities in partnership with the US Space Force.