Canadian space launch sovereignty
BY MIKE PAVELEC
The Canadian earth-sensing satellite in low earth orbit sees lightning strikes on the dangerously dry forests of northern Alberta. As it passes overhead, it communicates to the next passing satellite in the constellation (with laser communications technology) to keep an ‘electric eye’ on the possible flare up. Sure enough, as the next satellite comes into range, it spots lightning-strike hotspots and small fires in the remote wilderness. The satellite, using advanced AI processing, immediately sends messages through the Sensor Systems Operations Centre (RCAF) in North Bay, to the Satellite Communications Operations Centre in Ottawa, all coordinated by the Canadian Space Operations Centre (CANSpOC). Immediately the CANSpOC relays messages (through satellite communication) to the water tanker base in Rocky Mountain House to dispatch water bombers while the fire is still small. At the “Rocky” air tanker base, ready-filled autonomous water-bomber drones, carrying 2000 liters of water/retardant mix take off towards their targets. Relayed through the satellite constellation communications and guided by GPS for their precision navigation, the drone water-bombers quench the summer fires quickly, preventing massive annual damage from forest fires.
This idea and implementation are not too far away. Except for the autonomous water-bomber aircraft, Canada has access to and employs the rest of the firefighting chain. Today this system still relies on human pilots in water-bomber aircraft, but the rest of the equipment is in place, and the fictional equipment is on the drawing board or in prototype.
Canadians overlook the importance of space in their daily lives. Whether it is navigating to the nearest Timmy’s or looking for EV charging stations on a road trip to paying for groceries at any point-of-sale outlet, Canadians depend on GPS constellations for precision navigation and timing (PNT). Satellite telecoms facilitate television sports, streaming video, and internet signals supplementing cellular and terrestrial based links. Most far north communities rely on satellite service for all communications in the vast remote areas. It is estimated that $1 Billion CAD race through satellite communications every day, maintaining the Canadian economy and productivity. This is the reality of modern space access and influence on Canadian society.
In a recent speech, Prime Minister Carney announced that “The U.S… has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs… [the] scale and speed of these developments are not part of a smooth transition, they’re a rupture.” Up to now, Canada has relied on U.S. space launch for access to space, the American GPS constellation for PNT for everyday commerce and economy, U.S. satellite ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) for monitoring the Canadian land mass and far north, and U.S. satellites for the majority of communications, internet, and cellular signals.
In a conversation with Brigadier General Chris Horner, space access and activity need to be developed in Canada for three reasons specifically: Sovereignty, Security, and Economic Prosperity. BGen Horner is the Commander of 3 Canadian Space Division (RCAF) tasked with monitoring Canadian space activities as well as planning for the near future. An outspoken space advocate, he took the time to discuss with CDR the importance of the future of Canadian space – with a particular focus on space launch capabilities.
WHY CANADA NEEDS A DOMESTIC
SPACE LAUNCH CAPABILITY
To Horner, the future of Canadian space must be a priority for the nation. For him and others, Space will be a key factor in the future of Canada’s sovereignty. Because the U.S. is busy launching SpaceX, NASA, and Blue Origins rockets, there is little time left on the launch schedule for Canadian (let alone anyone else’s) payloads. Notwithstanding the mercurial American administration’s attitude towards longstanding allies, Canada is getting squeezed out of space access. For Canada to succeed in both domestic and defence arenas, BGen Horner insists that Canada needs reliable, responsive, and resilient domestic space launch.
In formulating this argument, it is important to note that Canada is perfectly suited for certain sectors of space launch. The closer the launch facilities to the equator (think Cape Canaveral in Florida or the Guiana Space Facility in Kourou, French Guiana where the European Space Agency launches) the better for equatorial launch for Low, Medium, and Geosynchronous Orbit (LEO, MEO, and GEO). The farther north, approaching or even above the Arctic Circle, launch facilities are better suited for Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO, including the Molniya orbits) and Sun Synchronous Orbits (SSO). The last two orbital planes are better suited for high elevation communications, ISR, and monitoring. Currently (Nov 2025) there are only a few high-elevation launch facilities in operation, including the Norwegian Andøya Space Center and Swedish Esrange Space Center. The American Alaska launch site at Kodiak Island closed in 2023.
For BGen Horner, Canada has the opportunity to fund, develop, and open Canadian launch facilities to overcome difficult diplomatic obstacles, provide in-house Canadian capabilities, and eventually support non-Canadian customers and allies for access to space. For him, the Canadian economic component alone is worth the investment, to bolster Canadian economics with domestic launch for Canadian space access, increase Canadian manufacturing of both rocket systems and satellites, as well as encourage young Canadians to pursue educational expertise in astrodynamics, engineering, computer systems, propulsion, materials, and all of the other fields for a new space era. Overall, Canadian economics will grow exponentially when Canada develops their own space architecture from education through construction and manufacturing, to the end-point use of Canadian space systems, what is now being called an end-to-end space ecosystem.
For defence particularly, BGen Horner argues that Canadian space launch (and all the associated occupations surrounding the Canadian space ecosystem) will bolster the Sovereignty and Security of Canada. In a previous article this author argued for the importance of Canadian space for the same reasons, in short it includes: space surveillance with Canadian systems to monitor and patrol the far north for both sovereignty and security. Rangers on the ground, the Royal Canadian Navy on the waters, and the Royal Canadian Air Force in the air can do these things, but it is hard on the people and machines to constantly monitor the far north. Space surveillance can more easily monitor the sea lanes in the far north, watch for forest fires, and surveil ships, planes, and weather for safety and security of the vast reaches of the far north. Today there are eight dedicated Canadian satellites – and 54 cooperative space platforms – that perform these activities. The last Canadian satellites were the three RADARSAT Constellation Mission launched in 2019 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Florida.
In BGen Horner’s estimation, Canada needs space launch for two reasons specifically: Responsiveness and Resilience. He would like to be able to have quick response launch, on the order of 96-hours to get something into space if anything goes wrong, adding to the resilience of Canadian space capabilities and the ability to replenish space in times of need. The focus of this article is on the launch component itself, future articles will deal with satellite and rocket manufacturing, education, and future Canadian space considerations.
MARITIME LAUNCH
There are two companies that are very close to providing the Canadian government with domestic launch capabilities. Maritime Launch based in Halifax, NS broke ground in 2022 on their launch site in Canso after years of environmental studies, market research, and gathering financial support. While still in the early phases of launch capabilities, Maritime Launch has high hopes for quick progress in 2026. Still hoping to launch a sub-orbital ballistic rocket by the end of 2025, progress is immanent. The first scheduled launch will be a rocket designed and assembled by University of Toronto students, building on previous successes with their Defiance Mk. III rocket launched from a remote location at Mattagami, Ontario. The University of Toronto Aerospace Team (UTAT) have developed a new, bigger rocket, the Destiny – their first liquid-fueled rocket – to be fired in late 2025 or early 2026. The liquid-fueled rocket needs a more robust launch facility, and UTAT has partnered with Maritime Launch to christen that launch facility for the test. Maritime Launch will be in a better position to coordinate all of the components for safe sub-orbital launch, including the firing range over sea – as opposed to land – local fire and emergency response, and airspace deconfliction.
All of this information was related to CDR in a recent interview with Stephen Matier, the Founder, CEO, and Director of Maritime Launch. He reported that the facilities were nearly ready (as of end of 2025), the rules, regulations, and services were all in place, and an aggressive launch schedule is being finalized for 2026. Following the UTAT inaugural launch, Maritime Launch has scheduled a twin launch by T-Minus Engineering from the Netherlands for their Barracuda rockets. Matier reported that the ballistic rockets are designed to test hypersonic technologies.
Matier confirmed that the Canso launch facility and Maritime Launch were vital to Canadian identity in general, and for support of the local economy specifically. He founded the company in order to “bring launch capabilities to Canada,” by building the facility, which will eventually expand to five launch pads for a variety of space platforms and capabilities. He is confident that over time, Maritime Launch will be able to launch Canadian – including but not exclusively Department of National Defence (DND) rockets and space vehicles – as well as international customers for space access from Canadian soil. To that end, Matier reported that their plan is to increase funding, generate excitement, and build a world-wide reputation as Canada’s premier launch facility for orbital missions. By 2028, Matier wants to have reliable, regular orbital-insertion launches for Canadian space vehicles and satellites.
To that end, Maritime Launch is gathering support from Canadian sources as well as international sponsors. They have agreed to terms with Reaction Dynamics from Longueuil, QC a Canadian to-space and in-space propulsion company, as of August 2025. Maritime Launch is predominantly industry-funded, with contributions from the commercial sector, DND and other Canadian government programs, including a $10M CAD inject from Export Development Canada in October 2025. According to the website, Maritime Launch is dedicated to developing and launching Canada as a space-fairing nation. Further information is available on Maritime Launch capabilities and progress from this publication in previous reports. As this article goes to print, Maritime Launch has just secured additional funding from MDA Space for $10M CAD in equity investment. Matier announced that the funding will accelerate the development and readiness of the launch facilities for orbital launch operations.
One other competitor for commercial domestic space launch in Canada is Nordspace, with offices in Markham, ON and a brand-new launch facility at their Atlantic Spaceport Complex outside of St. Lawrence, NL. Racing against time, Nordspace wants to beat Maritime Launch to be the first commercial launch from Canadian soil. Their September 23, 2025 launch went awry when a fishing boat entered the launch zone, forcing a pause until the range was clear. Unfortunately, there was a small fire at the site when the countdown resumed, and the launch had to be postponed. As of the end of October, Nordspace and the Taiga rocket are still experiencing difficulties with fuels, and the first launch has been postponed until at least the middle of December.
Nordspace was founded in 2022 by the brilliant rocket enthusiast Rahul Goel, who offered comments to CDR at the Canadian Space Launch Conference in April 2025. It was an upbeat energetic conference held at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa, showcasing the current state of Canadian space and conversations on the growing importance of the domestic capability. Goel outlined the timeline for Nordspace and the schedule for upcoming events while at the same time reporting the significance of his company for the future of Canada.
In his own words, the Taiga and Tundra are both Canadian manufactured rockets, the first for sub-orbital tests and the latter for eventual orbital insertion. The engines are 3D printed in Ontario, with all the manufacturing materials Canada-sourced and assembled. Eventually, according to Goel, Tundra will launch up to 500kg into orbit at an estimated cost of $10,000 CAD per kilo to Low Earth Orbit, one of the lowest costs-to-orbit globally.
Nordspace is funded primarily through the private sector, although there is “substantial” support from the Governments of Canada and Ontario. In several areas, Nordspace has agreed to cooperation for specific components of launch with other companies, including Kongsberg Geospatial for responsive space launch and range safety and C-Core for installation and operations of the ground station.
HISTORY OF SPACE LAUNCH IN CANADA
Ironically, neither of these are Canada’s first space launch complexes. From 1954 to 1998, Canada operated a launch facility at the Churchill Rocket Research Range, just outside of Churchill, Manitoba. It was opened by the Army in 1954 to commemorate the 1957 International Geophysical Year (IGY), to launch sounding rockets to determine the effects of the Aurora Borealis on long-range communications in the far north. In 1959, the Canadian government signed a contract with the U.S. Army to use the facility, to test U.S. made rockets and propellants. In 1970 the U.S. Army left and the facility was transferred to the Canadian National Research Council for rocket tests. Over 3,500 sub-orbital and sounding rockets were launched from this location during its operational period.
Virtually abandoned in 1985, Akjuit Aerospace signed a 30-year lease in 1992 to reopen the facility and build Canada’s first spaceport. With funding and support from over 20 space companies – including the U.S. giant Raytheon – the idea seemed viable. Unfortunately, only one rocket was launched before Akjuit ceased operations in 1998. Today the facility is run by the Churchill Northern Studies Center, an educational research outpost.
If there is government interest, the Churchill facility could still be an operational launch site – obviously needing upgrades – that could be made available. If the Canadian government (or DND) is interested in government or defence only launch – as opposed to commercial – the Churchill site could be refurbished for use. It would require money, labour, and time, but it is an option for consideration.
Therefore, the future looks bright. There are two companies in friendly competition to launch Canadian rockets and begin Canada’s march to space. Of all the G7 countries, Canada is the only one without sovereign launch, if you concede that the UK, Italy, Germany, and France are included in the European Space Agency and do have ESA launch facilities.
SPACE BOUND 2025
At the Space Bound 2025 conference in Ottawa in November, the mood was optimistic. It began the morning after the successful vote on the new government budget, which included significant increased spending for DND, and space in particular (through both DND funds and the Department of Industry). Opening the conference, the President of the Canadian Space Agency, Lisa Campbell, remarked that the CSA and Canada were dedicated to sovereign capabilities in space. Funds from the private and public sector were needed to grow the capabilities, but that investment would be sure to pay off. She argued that for every $1 spent on space, investors (including the government) could expect overtime to recoup $3. The time is ripe for Canadian investment in space.
Other speakers at the conference were equally as positive, Minister of Industry, the Honorable Mélanie Joly was excited to report on the new budget, commenting specifically about an increase in space funding for the gathered group. In her comments she stated that the current government vision for space included tangible results from government investment focused on building industry and jobs for economic security. Canada is focusing on expanding the domestic space sector. Minister of National Defence, the Honorable David McGuinty took the opportunity to address the conference attendees and get into some specifics. He discussed the efforts at the national level to form a Space Council, approved last year (2024), but still in formation. He offered comments on the Defence Investment Agency, and the move towards “Buy Canadian” across DND. Of particular importance for the conference was the $182.6M CAD in the budget for domestic space launch, the single point of failure for the entire system. Canada has satellite and emerging rocket manufacturing, including exceptional space robotics capabilities. There are ground and communications stations for signals and data processing, but the launch sequence is (as of now) non-existent and needs to be addressed. Thus, the funding line, as well as a new Space Rocketry Incentive Challenge series of monetary prizes to spur launch capabilities specifically. Some of the DND funding and incentives will fall under the purview of the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program.
From the conference and the interviews for this project, there is an amazing optimism about Space in general and Canadian Space in particular. The excitement was fueled by the government’s newly approved support for an expanded Canadian Space Ecosystem. The dual-use nature of space, and the importance of space for defence and sovereignty means that this is more than a DND concern or responsibility. But as with any of the new high-technology sectors (think: AI, cyber, space, robotics) DND has a vested interest in staying at the front edge of the conversation. And for space enthusiasts, like this author, Canada seems to be seizing the opportunity to develop domestic, sovereign capabilities in efforts to solidify its place in the world. In the words of BGen Chris Horner, space will define Canada’s Sovereignty, Security, and Economic Prosperity. And we tend to agree with him.
