30.07.2025
The launch will be a suborbital test flight
NordSpace will launch its first rocket from St. Lawrence, N.L., this summer. (Nordspace)
One small step for NordSpace is one giant leap for Newfoundland and Labrador — as the aerospace company plans to launch Canada's first commercial rocket to space from the town of St. Lawrence next month.
NordSpace founder and CEO, Rahul Goel, said the launch will be a test of the company's single-engine rocket system — a 16-meter-long rocket created using 3D-printed metal.
"The launch this summer will be a single-engine suborbital test flight, which will be about 30 seconds," Goel told CBC's Newfoundland Morning.
NordSpace eyed the Newfoundland town of St. Lawrence because of its position in achieving the right orbital inclinations, Goel said.
The company plans to build two launch pads, according to the town — one at Deep Cove and another along Lighthouse Road.
Ahead of the launch, a road will be built in St. Lawrence, but Goel said most of the equipment will be brought in from the company's main facility in Ontario.
"We're literally bringing our rocket, bringing our systems while the roads are being built, and it's quite a sight to see," he said.
Goel said St. Lawrence will eventually be home to a spaceport complex.
"It's going to eventually consist of about two launch pads and ground infrastructure like radar tracking, rocket and satellite communication systems and all of that," he said.
The first test launch is scheduled to take place during the last week of August.
While the rockets won't carry humans, they will carry payloads or small satellites into low orbit, between 500 and 1,000 kilometres into space.
"We're very excited as individuals, and as a company, to deliver what we consider a national victory for Canada," Goel said.
Quelle: CBC/Radio-Canada
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Update: 28.08.2025
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NordSpace targets Taiga suborbital launch attempt for Thursday or Friday
Taiga on the launch pad with the local fire department. Credit: NordSpace
With Hurricane Erin no longer a concern, NordSpace is now targeting Thursday or Friday to attempt the launch of their Taiga suborbital rocket.
In a post on their website NordSpace said the “RSO (Range Safety Officer) and LSO (Launch Safety Officer) have determined that we will not be launching Wednesday (August 27) due to significantly more favourable conditions present on Thursday (August 28) and Friday (August 29).“
In the update NordSpace said Friday seemed to be “offering the most optimal conditions.” NordSpace will conduct a “full rehearsal” of the launch today.
The launch is part of the inauguration of the new NordSpace Atlantic Spaceport Complex in St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador.
NordSpace has been aggressively moving to develop its launch technology and the Taiga suborbital test launch is important to gage the progress of its Hadfield engine. It’s never flown before, though it’s performed several test fires.
NordSpace says its Hadfield engine, along with the future “Garneau and Bondar series of engines are painstakingly designed to be among the most efficient, light weight, and versatile engines ever built. Uniquely designed to support multiple fuels (kerosene JetA/RP1 standard), including sustainable aviation fuel as an option (SAF).”
A livestream of the launch is expected. The Taiga suborbital rocket is cleared to fly upwards of 10KM.
Quelle: spaceQ