Canada to Build Own Satellite Launch Pad by 2028

The government of Canada has announced a major investment of $200 million to develop its own satellite launch facility, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign nations for space missions.

The funding will support a 10-year lease for a launch pad on the country’s East Coast, marking an important step toward building Canada’s independent space capabilities. Currently, Canada relies heavily on the United States to send its satellites into orbit.

The new launch site is expected to be operational by 2028. The project was officially announced by David McGuinty at a facility of the Canadian Space Agency in Ottawa.

Speaking at the event, McGuinty highlighted the importance of satellites in everyday life. He stated that nearly 20% of Canada’s economy depends on satellite systems, including banking, mobile communication, and financial transactions. He stressed that developing a domestic launch capability will strengthen national security and give Canada greater control over its space operations.

As part of its broader strategy, Canada also plans to join NATO’s STARLIFT initiative, which aims to create a network that allows allied countries to launch payloads into space quickly when needed.

The launch facility will be developed by Maritime Launch Services at Spaceport Nova Scotia, located near Canso in Nova Scotia. The company’s CEO, Stephen Matier, said the federal contract will boost investor confidence and help accelerate the project.

Matier explained that Canadian companies have long depended on firms like SpaceX to launch satellites from the U.S. However, this often limits flexibility in terms of launch timing and orbital placement.

Experts believe that having a domestic launch site will give Canada more control over its space missions. David Perry said it will help avoid long delays caused by waiting for foreign launch schedules.

Sarah Gallagher also noted that the location in Nova Scotia offers advantages due to its northern latitude, allowing better access to specific types of satellite orbits, especially those important for monitoring northern regions.

The project is part of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which focuses on strengthening the country’s defence and space sectors. The federal budget for 2025 had already set aside $183 million over three years to support sovereign space launch capabilities.

With the number of satellites expected to reach up to 70,000 in low-Earth orbit over the next five years, Canada’s move is seen as a timely step toward securing its position in the growing global space industry.