Canada’s Atlantic Spaceport Complex Secures Environmental Approval for Launch Facility Development

In a major advancement for Canada’s aspirations in the space sector, the Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) has received the green light from Newfoundland and Labrador’s environmental authorities. The aerospace firm NordSpace is developing this facility near St. Lawrence on the Burin Peninsula, with the recent decision allowing the project to progress without the need for additional environmental assessments.

Announced by the province’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Climate Change, the ruling signifies a significant milestone for the ASX, enabling construction and operational activities to begin, provided that certain conditions are met. These conditions include conducting wildlife surveys, implementing pollution control measures, and ensuring protections for local water resources.

The approval comes after a comprehensive review process that spanned over two years, which included extensive technical studies, community engagement, and consultations with Indigenous groups, as well as discussions with both provincial and federal agencies. The evaluation covered various aspects such as environmental safety, maritime considerations, aviation safety, and localized impact.

NordSpace, established in Markham, Ontario, in 2022 under the leadership of CEO Rahul Goel, aims to create an integrated “end-to-end” space system at the ASX. The facility is intended to host a range of launch vehicles, starting with the Taiga, a small suborbital test rocket, and advancing to the Tundra, which is designed to transport up to 500 kilograms into low Earth orbit, with future plans for a larger model known as Titan.

Goel expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting that after extensive consultations and significant investments, the approval demonstrates the thoroughness of their approach and positions NordSpace to provide a reliable launch capability for Canada. He emphasized the importance of developing a domestic manufacturing base and the scalability of propulsion systems designed for reusability and medium-lift missions.

Strategically located at approximately 46 degrees north latitude, the site affords a broad range of launch trajectories, facilitating access to various orbits over the Atlantic. The launch pads are planned to be situated more than five kilometers from the nearest community, ensuring safety for the operation of medium-lift vehicles. The facility also benefits from proximity to essential transport links, including ports, airports, and highways.

With this environmental approval secured, NordSpace can move forward with construction initiatives, which include building access roads, constructing a modular mission control center named StarGate, and setting up two launch pads intended for use throughout the year. The company has already initiated site preparations and plans to establish a permanent presence in St. John’s.

This development aligns with Canada’s increasing focus on bolstering its own space capabilities, which has been highlighted by recent federal investments in domestic launch infrastructure and defense-related space initiatives. Canada is recognized as a leader in robotic technologies, particularly for its contributions to the Space Shuttle program and its ongoing role in supporting the International Space Station.

NordSpace aims to deliver launch services that address national security, scientific, and commercial satellite needs, thereby lessening the dependency on foreign providers. The company has also established partnerships with entities such as C-CORE, KONGSBERG, and LeoLabs to improve tracking and communication capabilities, while actively participating in international collaborations, including the Global Spaceport Alliance and NATO discussions on space mobility.

This milestone marks an important moment in the evolution of Canada’s commercial space industry, with Newfoundland and Labrador poised to play a vital role in the country’s pursuit of an independent access to space. NordSpace anticipates conducting its inaugural orbital launches in the upcoming years, after successfully completing suborbital tests with the Taiga rocket.