Amid a more complex and unpredictable security environment, Canada is taking decisive actions to strengthen its security and sovereignty and to reinforce the resilience and long-term strength of the country.
In Ottawa, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, announced a historic $200 million investment in core infrastructure for a Canadian-owned spaceport, along with other major new space-related capabilities and initiatives. This marks a significant step forward in Canada’s sovereign space program as outlined in Security, Sovereignty, Prosperity: Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy.
Canadian-owned spaceport
Demand for timely and resilient launch options is at historic highs worldwide, and sovereign access to space has become a critical capability underpinning national security, economic competitiveness, and reliable access to essential space‑based services.
The investment is a 10‑year, $200‑million agreement to lease a dedicated space‑launch pad that will serve as the central foundation for a multi-user spaceport near Canso, Nova Scotia. Operated by Maritime Launch Services, this spaceport will support the operational needs of the Department of National Defence (DND), the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), and the wider Government of Canada, while also offering ad hoc access to allies and partners.
Launch the North
Minister McGuinty also announced the selection of innovators for the first round of the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program’s Launch the North contest. This contest is providing $105 million in multi-year grants to support the development and demonstration of breakthrough technologies to advance Canada’s sovereign space launch capabilities. The goal of this challenge is to enable the launch of Canadian payloads from Canadian soil, achieving an initial light lift operational capability by 2028. For the first round of this contest, the following three highly ranked applicants have each been conditionally approved for $8.3 million in funding:
- NordSpace – NordSpace Tundra Canadian Responsive Scalable Launch
- Canada Rocket Company – Canadian Sovereign Launch Capability Development (R1)
- Reaction Dynamics – Aurora-8 Responsive Launch Vehicle
These innovators will move their ideas from concept to prototype and testing, helping Canada build the technical readiness and partnerships required for a future sovereign launch capability.
Kongsberg Geospatial, the Canadian subsidiary of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NordSpace Corp. to collaborate on advancing Canada’s responsive sovereign space launch and range safety capabilities.
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