Canada is the only G7 nation without its own launch capability. Recognising the strategic risk, the federal government announced a multi‑year contest that gives $8.3 million to each of three Canadian rocket firms, with the aim of reaching light‑lift capability by 2028.

NordSpace’s first sub‑orbital test in 2025 failed, but the company says it will try again soon, possibly within weeks.

Canada Rocket Company, led by CEO Hugh Kolias, is targeting a medium‑lift rocket for a first launch in 2032. The project is supported by $22 million of private investment and a $30‑million test facility under construction in London, Ontario.

Today Canada relies on SpaceX; the American firm launched all 12 Canadian satellites sent up in 2025. SpaceX is planning to phase out its Falcon 9 rideshare service after 2028 as it shifts to the larger Starship, which could limit launch slots for Canadian customers.

Industry observers warn that dependence on foreign launch services could jeopardise control over critical satellite technology. Marc Boucher, founder of the space publication SpaceQ, notes that these satellites power telecommunications, military threat detection and earth‑observation, and that a foreign launch provider could refuse service.

By developing its own rockets, Canada hopes to secure a sovereign capability, keep satellite services reliable, and protect national security. As the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy highlights, space is now seen as a key sovereign asset.