Rocket Report 9.16: SpaceX’s Starship Could Need 22 Lunar Refuelings

Welcome to the 9.16th edition of Rocket Report, featuring the latest news on SpaceX, NASA, and emerging launch companies. This week, SpaceX made headlines after thanking the U.S. Space Force—and then stopping after being offered three military launch contracts. On the civilian space front, NASA’s safety board said SpaceX’s Starship could require as many as 22 refuelings to support a Moon landing.

As always, we welcome reader contributions. If you don’t want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below. This form does not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site. Each report covers small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets, along with a summary of the next three launches on the calendar.

PLD Space’s Miura 5 launch approaches

PLD Space announced that its Miura 5 rocket, scheduled for its first launch next year, is nearing final integration, according to an Aviation Week report. The company has already built three Miura 5 rockets. The other two are intended to qualify key system elements, CEO Raul Torres said in an October 19 program update.

PLD Space is currently targeting the first flight of its small-lift vehicle for mid-2027.

Miura 5 reaches full stage integration

“Building these three rockets has allowed our team to work continuously at various stages of production and integration, allowing us to apply the lessons learned from each qualification campaign directly to the launch vehicles,” Torres said.

One Miura 5 second stage is fully integrated and has begun system-level testing under typical operating conditions. The next phase will take place at PLD Space’s Teruel test facility and will include a qualification campaign with a wet dress rehearsal and static high-temperature fire testing.

Reaction Dynamics seeks $350 million for rocket development

Reaction Dynamics, one of three prominent Canadian startups, said it is seeking to raise $350 million to expand its workforce from 68 employees to more than 350, according to a SpaceQ report.

The company is developing Aurora, a small-lift rocket that Reaction Dynamics hopes will reach orbit in 2028. It has also announced plans to build Borealis, a medium-lift rocket targeted for debut by 2031.