Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Canada backs plans to develop medium-lift rockets
Canada’s federal budget has put money behind plans to build a domestic rocket industry.
The initiative, called Launch the North, aims to support Canadian rockets launching from at least two developing spaceports on the country’s east coast.
The government also plans to upgrade from smaller rockets to medium-lift rockets, but has not set a timeline for that step.
Smaller Canadian rockets are expected to begin flying in 2028.
The budget also backs new rockets, domestic rocket-propulsion capabilities and defence-supported launch and testing.
Canada’s launch industry has been limited, but lower launch costs and government support are creating new opportunities.
Canadian firms are developing larger rockets as they anticipate a possible gap in the medium-lift market when SpaceX retires its Falcon 9.
Canada’s federal budget has put money behind plans to develop medium-lift rockets as part of its Launch the North initiative.
The initiative aims to support Canadian rockets launching from at least two developing spaceports on the country’s east coast.
The budget also promises new rockets, a Canadian rocket-propulsion ecosystem and defence-backed launch and testing.
The timeline for moving to medium-lift rockets is unclear, while smaller rockets are expected to fly in 2028.
- Who
- The Canadian government and its Launch the North initiative.
- What
- Canada is backing plans to develop medium-lift rockets and support a domestic launch industry.
- When
- The plans were included in the federal budget released in November 2026.
- Where
- Canada, with launches planned from at least two developing spaceports on the east coast.
- Why
- The initiative aims to support sovereign rockets. The article also points to a potential market gap in medium-lift rockets.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The defence department awarded C$200 million over 10 years to Maritime Launch Services’ Spaceport Nova Scotia and C$20 million to NordSpace’s Atlantic Spaceport Complex.
Launch the North began with about C$25 million for small rockets developed by Canada Rocket Company, NordSpace and Reaction Dynamics.
Defence Minister David McGuinty said Canada’s rocket plans would extend beyond small rockets.
The federal budget officially put money behind previously announced rocket spending plans.
- Budget projection
- C$142 billion over five years
- Launch the North funding
- About C$25 million
- Spaceport Nova Scotia funding
- C$200 million over 10 years
- Atlantic Spaceport Complex funding
- C$20 million
- Expected first flights for smaller rockets
- 2028
What people are saying
Small rockets are “where we start; they’re not where we stop,