NordSpace, based in Markham, Ontario, has commenced construction on the site for Canada’s inaugural commercial space launch, scheduled for later this month in Newfoundland.
The Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX), poised to become Canada’s first operational commercial spaceport, is situated just outside the small town of St. Lawrence, Newfoundland, on the province’s southeastern coast, around 350 km from St. John’s.
The $10 million initial development phase includes two sites: SLC-01, with two launch pads for orbital missions, and SLC-02, which will have at least one smaller launch pad for suborbital missions, radar systems, and other ground support equipment for ASX’s launch operations.
NordSpace states the facility’s position supports launch inclinations between 46 to 100 degrees, accommodating various satellite orbit types.
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Newfoundland and Labrador’s industry minister, Steve Crocker, stated, “The Provincial Government is strongly supportive of NordSpace’s project, which will open the door in this province to a commercial space sector that is expected to be worth $40 to $50 billion in Canada.”
In BetaKit’s Most Ambitious issue, NordSpace was featured for its mission to enable Canada’s first commercial space launch. Although Canada is renowned for being the fourth country globally to launch a satellite and its aerospace engineering innovations, including the Canadarm, most commercial launches are outsourced to the United States.
The company plans to change that with its first launch window opening on August 25, to test its Taiga suborbital rocket powered by its proprietary 3D-printed Hadfield Mk III liquid rocket engine. The inaugural mission is titled “Getting Screeched In,” a nod to the Newfoundland tradition that welcomes ‘mainlanders’ with a shot of rum, kissing a cod, and reciting local slang.
The initial launch timing may face delays due to road and power