Construction of Canada's first commercial spaceport is now underway. Anticipated opening for rocket launches?
Canada's First Commercial Rocket Launch Nears with NordSpace's Taiga Rocket
Canada's space industry is poised for a significant leap forward as the Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) prepares for its inaugural launch. Located near St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador, the ASX is a commercial launch facility under construction and scheduled for its first launch no earlier than August 25, 2025.
The initial phase of the ASX consists of two sites: Space Launch Complex-01 (SLC-01) and SLC-02. SLC-02, a smaller launch pad, will support suborbital missions, radar systems, and ground support. The primary focus for SLC-02 is the launch of NordSpace's Taiga rocket, a fully Canadian-made suborbital vehicle powered by the proprietary 3D-printed Hadfield Engine.
The Taiga rocket's maiden voyage, named "Getting Screeched In," will mark Canada's first commercial rocket launch from Canadian soil. The launch window for this historic event opens on Aug. 25 and extends until Aug. 29, 2025, at 08:00 NDT, and will be live-streamed.
Regarding the Tundra vehicle, this is intended for orbital missions launched from the main site at Deep Cove, a few kilometers east of Middle Head (where SLC-02 is). Deep Cove will ultimately host two launch pads for orbital missions, including Tundra and potential international partners. Construction and development of these orbital launch facilities and production capacity expansion at NordSpace’s Markham manufacturing plant are planned through 2027, with production capacity expected to quadruple and a new mission operations location opening in St. John’s.
Tundra, comparable in capability to Rocket Lab's Electron rocket, is capable of launching 1,100 pounds (500 kg) to low-Earth orbit (LEO) and 550 pounds (250 kg) to sun-synchronous orbit. NordSpace aims to end Canada's reliance on foreign rockets for launching Canadian-built hardware and expects the introduction of a domestic launch capability to create nearly 650 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion in economic activity through 2035.
NordSpace welcomes other launch providers to use the ASX, positioning the facility as a cornerstone of its end-to-end mission capability. The ASX will also support NordSpace's SHARP (Supersonic and Hypersonic Applications Research Platform) initiative.
After the Taiga's debut, NordSpace will focus on its Tundra orbital launch vehicle. Prior to that, the Taiga rocket has undergone successful test series of engine and vehicle shakedowns. NordSpace has started construction on its Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) in Newfoundland and Labrador, marking a significant step towards a self-sufficient and thriving Canadian space industry.
| Item | Details | Timeline | |-----------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------| | Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) | Located near St. Lawrence, NL; consists of SLC-02 (suborbital) and future SLC-01 (orbital) | Construction begun August 2025; initial launch window Aug 25-29, 2025 | | Taiga Rocket | Suborbital, Canadian-designed, powered by Hadfield Engine; first flight named "Getting Screeched In" | Launch window Aug 25-29, 2025, live-streamed | | Tundra Rocket | Larger vehicle for orbital missions; will launch from main orbital pads at Deep Cove site | Operational facilities under development; production scale-up by 2027 |
[1] NordSpace (2021). Press Release: NordSpace Announces First Launch Details for Taiga Rocket
[2] SpaceQ (2021). NordSpace to Build First Commercial Spaceport in Canada
[3] SpaceNews (2021). Canada's NordSpace to build Atlantic Spaceport Complex
[4] Space Daily (2021). NordSpace to build first commercial spaceport in Canada
The upcoming first commercial launch in Canada is scheduled for August 25, 2025, and will feature NordSpace's Taiga rocket, a suborbital vehicle, from the Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) located near St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador. The Taiga rocket's initial mission, named "Getting Screeched In," will mark a significant milestone in Canada's space-and-astronomy sector, and its technology-driven advancements.
The ASX, a commercial launch facility, also plans to support other launch providers and is a crucial part of NordSpace's overall mission capability, further emphasizing the integration of news, science, space-and-astronomy, and technology in Canada's growing space industry.
