Politics · Canada · 4 hrs ago
Canada commits funds to military launches, satellites and space roles
Canada is expanding its military space capabilities with investments in launch access, satellite technology and specialist roles.
Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the commitments at a conference in Gatineau.
The government signed a 10-year, $20-million agreement with NordSpace to use its Atlantic Spaceport Complex in Newfoundland and Labrador for launches and research.
The funding is part of a wider effort to build Canadian launch and satellite capabilities, so the country can replace or protect systems it relies on.
Ottawa has also set aside $17.9 million to help companies develop satellite communications, including for remote and northern regions; $4.7 million has gone to Toronto-based Kepler Communications.
The military has created a Space Mission Operator role, with training for an initial group of 25 members and public recruitment expected to open late next year.
The Armed Forces are also working to establish a Space Warfare Officer role, but details of its duties have not been provided.
Canada has signed a 10-year, $20-million agreement with NordSpace for access to its planned Newfoundland and Labrador spaceport.
The agreement gives the Department of National Defence priority access to the launchpad for military launches and research.
Defence Minister David McGuinty also announced funding for satellite communications and new military space occupations.
The government has earmarked $17.9-million to help companies develop satellite communications, with $4.7-million awarded to Kepler Communications.
The Canadian Armed Forces plans to train an initial cohort of 25 Space Mission Operators.
- Who
- The Department of National Defence and NordSpace signed the agreement.
- What
- Canada will pay $20-million for 10 years of priority access to NordSpace’s launchpad.
- When
- The agreement was announced on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
- Where
- The Atlantic Spaceport Complex in St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Why
- To support Canada’s sovereign launch capabilities and allow the military to conduct launches and research and development.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ottawa announced a similar 10-year agreement with Maritime Launch Services.
NordSpace announced a 10-year, $20-million facility-access agreement with the Department of National Defence.
NordSpace said construction of its spaceport had entered its second phase and reaffirmed its goal of sending rockets into orbit by 2028.
Public recruitment for the Space Mission Operator occupation is expected to open.
- NordSpace agreement
- 10 years; $20-million
- Spaceport location
- St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Satellite communications funding
- $17.9-million earmarked; $4.7-million awarded to Kepler Communications
- First Space Mission Operator cohort
- 25 members
- Orbit target
- NordSpace aims to send rockets into orbit by 2028
2 sources
What people are saying
Building sovereign launch capabilities means Canada will be able to replace damaged or threatened systems, “on our own terms and on our own timelines
The lesson is clear: Canada cannot afford to depend on capabilities that we can’t access, that we can’t protect, or that we can’t replace when we need them most.
A sovereign spacefaring Canada needs the ability to launch a payload into orbit on its own schedule, from its own soil, on its own rocket when national security demands it.