CANSO: What began as an ambitious dream in rural Nova Scotia is now rocketing toward reality. Maritime Launch Services, the company developing Spaceport Nova Scotia, secured two major partnerships this past summer to position Canada to play a leading role in the international space industry.
On Aug. 13, 2024, the Halifax-based company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a top-tier international launch vehicle operator. The deal outlines a collaborative plan to launch small-class orbital vehicles from the spaceport, with the first orbital launch scheduled for 2026.
Just days later on Aug. 21, 2024, Maritime Launch named Voyager Space, a major U.S. aerospace firm, as the first technical partner for building out the site’s launch infrastructure.
These announcements signal more than just business deals – they represent a new era of opportunity for Nova Scotia and Canada in the fast-expanding commercial space sector.
The MOU with the international launch vehicle company is a key step toward turning Spaceport Nova Scotia into a multi-user commercial launch site. Maritime Launch will handle infrastructure, regulatory support, and mission coordination, while the international partner will provide the rockets and technical equipment.
Stephen Matier, President and CEO of Maritime Launch, said the partnership is proof of the region’s growing appeal to global space companies:
“This partnership will demonstrate our capabilities as a launch site, capable of accommodating diverse launch systems. It allows us to deliver launch capacity to meet the growing demand from satellite clients around the world.”
The agreement builds on a Letter of Intent signed in 2023 and supports the development of a multi-year, multi-launch operation model, following an initial pathfinder launch mission.
Further fueling the momentum is Maritime Launch’s collaboration with Voyager Space, selected as the first Owner Authorized Representative (OAR) for the spaceport. Voyager will provide engineering design, site development, and integration services based on decades of experience in the aerospace and defense industries.
These partnerships come with major implications for the province and beyond. Spaceport Nova Scotia, located near Canso, is not only expected to attract global satellite clients – it will create jobs in engineering, construction, and high-tech services while fostering innovation and investment in rural Nova Scotia.
The site will also become one of the only active commercial spaceports in North America outside the U.S., giving Canada strategic launch independence while strengthening ties with global partners.
“This is not just about rockets,” Matier said. “It’s about building a sustainable, Canadian-led space economy – right here in Nova Scotia.”
With both public and private momentum behind it, Spaceport Nova Scotia is quickly becoming one of the most promising aerospace developments in the country.
For Atlantic Canadians – and for a growing number of international clients – the countdown has officially begun.