Minister McGuinty announces strategic advancements for Canada's sovereign space capabilities

Canada is taking bold actions to strengthen its sovereign space capabilities and invest in the development of a strong, competitive Canadian space sector.

October 21, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Canada is taking bold actions to strengthen its sovereign space capabilities and invest in the development of a strong, competitive Canadian space sector.

Today in Ottawa, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, announced a 10-year, $20-million spaceport agreement has been signed with NordSpace to access the Atlantic Spaceport Complex in Newfoundland and Labrador, alongside other major new space-related capabilities and initiatives, bringing the total value of space-related contracts, grants and contributions announced this year to more than $3 billion.

Expansion of sovereign launch program

Sovereign access to space is increasingly essential to national security, economic competitiveness and the reliable delivery of critical space-based services.

The agreement with NordSpace, in addition to the 10-year agreement with Maritime Launch Services announced in March 2026 , will provide the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and its partners access to conduct launches and research and development activities.

Canadian-owned satellite telecommunications system

The Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program's Gateway to the Stars challenge is investing $17.9 million in projects to improve satellite connectivity. Through this challenge, Minister McGuinty announced that Canada is awarding a $4.7 million contract to Kepler Communications to develop optical inter-satellite communication networks to improve the speed and resilience of space-based communications, particularly in Canada’s Arctic and other remote regions, supporting future CAF operations. Collectively, this work will also support objectives under the Northern Wide-Area Tracking and Continuous Horizon (NORTHWATCH) program by enhancing Canada’s surveillance and threat detection capabilities across the Arctic.

The contract is for a two-year period with the aim to develop and test laser-based communication links that allow satellites to exchange data directly, enabling faster and more reliable space-based networks. The project will support the development and testing of this technology.

NATO STARLIFT membership

Minister McGuinty announced that as part of its commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Canada has joined the NATO STARLIFT initiative as a full member. STARLIFT is a NATO High Visibility Project that aims to develop a more resilient, responsive and cost-effective network of space launch capabilities, enabling Allies to launch assets at short notice from spaceports across the Alliance.

Developing Canada’s skilled space sector workforce

As Canada’s space capabilities continue to grow, we are investing in the people that will support Canada’s space sector. To meet the demands of modern space operations, the CAF is establishing a dedicated Space Mission Operator occupation which will enable the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to attract, train, and retain highly skilled personnel.

Recent Government of Canada investments are increasing demand for engineers, scientists, technicians, software developers and advanced manufacturing specialists across the country and are expected to support approximately 3,000 jobs annually.

To meet this growing demand for talent, the Department of National Defence (DND) is investing $1.2M over 2 years in the generation of Canadian space professionals through Launch Canada and the IDEaS Space Rocketry Talent Development Initiative. Through student-led projects, competitions, hands-on training and early-stage research, the initiative is developing the highly qualified personnel needed to support Canada's future space workforce. By connecting students and emerging professionals with real-world aerospace and space projects, this investment will build a talent pipeline for Canadian organizations working across satellite communications, Earth observation, launch systems, space surveillance and other advanced space technologies.

“Behind many of Canada’s achievements in space are the companies, researchers and innovators driving our space sector forward. Canada has the talent, technology and ambition to remain a leader in space. As we strengthen our defence capabilities, we’ll create new opportunities for Canadian industry and help shape the future of Canada’s space sector.” The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

“Behind many of Canada’s achievements in space are the companies, researchers and innovators driving our space sector forward. Canada has the talent, technology and ambition to remain a leader in space. As we strengthen our defence capabilities, we’ll create new opportunities for Canadian industry and help shape the future of Canada’s space sector.”

The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

“Space is a strategic national asset, and a strong Canadian space sector is essential to our sovereignty, security, and economic strength. By investing in Canadian innovation, strengthening our sovereign access to space, and advancing communications capabilities in the Arctic, we are building the expertise and capacity Canada needs to compete and lead in the global space economy. These investments will create good jobs, grow Canadian businesses, and build a stronger, more secure Canada.” The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

“Space is a strategic national asset, and a strong Canadian space sector is essential to our sovereignty, security, and economic strength. By investing in Canadian innovation, strengthening our sovereign access to space, and advancing communications capabilities in the Arctic, we are building the expertise and capacity Canada needs to compete and lead in the global space economy. These investments will create good jobs, grow Canadian businesses, and build a stronger, more secure Canada.”

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

“Space is essential to how the Canadian Armed Forces operates, from communicating across vast distances to maintaining awareness of threats to Canada and its allies. These investments represent an important step toward strengthening our ability to access, operate in and protect our interests in an increasingly contested space domain. By advancing sovereign launch capabilities, strengthening Allied cooperation and developing a dedicated workforce of space professionals, we are building the foundation for a more capable, resilient and operationally ready Canadian Armed Forces.” Brigadier-General Christopher Horner, Commander, 3 Canadian Space Division and Joint Force Space Component Commander

“Space is essential to how the Canadian Armed Forces operates, from communicating across vast distances to maintaining awareness of threats to Canada and its allies. These investments represent an important step toward strengthening our ability to access, operate in and protect our interests in an increasingly contested space domain. By advancing sovereign launch capabilities, strengthening Allied cooperation and developing a dedicated workforce of space professionals, we are building the foundation for a more capable, resilient and operationally ready Canadian Armed Forces.”

Brigadier-General Christopher Horner, Commander, 3 Canadian Space Division and Joint Force Space Component Commander

“Canada’s North is strategically vital, yet remains underserved by traditional connectivity infrastructure. Kepler’s optical data relay network is designed to move mission data quickly and reliably, providing the Canadian Armed Forces with more persistent access to timely intelligence and shortening decision timelines. This project will demonstrate how Canadian-built space infrastructure can strengthen security across the Arctic and support the evolving operational needs of the Canadian Armed Forces.” Mina Mitry, CEO and Co-Founder, Kepler

“Canada’s North is strategically vital, yet remains underserved by traditional connectivity infrastructure. Kepler’s optical data relay network is designed to move mission data quickly and reliably, providing the Canadian Armed Forces with more persistent access to timely intelligence and shortening decision timelines. This project will demonstrate how Canadian-built space infrastructure can strengthen security across the Arctic and support the evolving operational needs of the Canadian Armed Forces.”

Mina Mitry, CEO and Co-Founder, Kepler

“Canada cannot afford to be left behind in the global race to space. As Canada strengthens its sovereign space capabilities, Atlantic Canada continues to play a key role in building the infrastructure, innovation and expertise needed to compete in a rapidly growing global industry. Investments in Newfoundland and Labrador are helping position Canada to launch from Canadian soil, strengthen our security and sovereignty, and create highly skilled jobs and economic opportunities for the future.” The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“Canada cannot afford to be left behind in the global race to space. As Canada strengthens its sovereign space capabilities, Atlantic Canada continues to play a key role in building the infrastructure, innovation and expertise needed to compete in a rapidly growing global industry. Investments in Newfoundland and Labrador are helping position Canada to launch from Canadian soil, strengthen our security and sovereignty, and create highly skilled jobs and economic opportunities for the future.”

The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., Member of Parliament for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“A sovereign spacefaring Canada needs the ability to launch a payload into orbit on its own schedule, from its own soil, on its own rocket when national security demands it. That capability is only possible if a Canadian company vertically integrates the full stack from launch vehicle to launch pad, as we are at NordSpace. We are grateful for this agreement with the Department of National Defence, and are proud to be of service to ensure that there will be a Canadian-made rocket on a Canadian-owned launch pad with a Canadian-made spacecraft bus waiting, when our Armed Forces need it.” Rahul Goel, Founder and CEO, NordSpace Corporation

“A sovereign spacefaring Canada needs the ability to launch a payload into orbit on its own schedule, from its own soil, on its own rocket when national security demands it. That capability is only possible if a Canadian company vertically integrates the full stack from launch vehicle to launch pad, as we are at NordSpace. We are grateful for this agreement with the Department of National Defence, and are proud to be of service to ensure that there will be a Canadian-made rocket on a Canadian-owned launch pad with a Canadian-made spacecraft bus waiting, when our Armed Forces need it.”

Rahul Goel, Founder and CEO, NordSpace Corporation

Reliable and independent launch access will enable Canada to place critical satellites into orbit even during global uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, or disruptions in foreign launch markets. With military, emergency response, and government services increasingly dependent on space-based systems, sovereign launch protects national interests and enables continuity of operations.

Reliable and independent launch access will enable Canada to place critical satellites into orbit even during global uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, or disruptions in foreign launch markets. With military, emergency response, and government services increasingly dependent on space-based systems, sovereign launch protects national interests and enables continuity of operations.

Budget 2025 announced an investment of $182.6M over the three years to establish a sovereign launch program. That program includes capability development, led by DND’s Defence Research and Development Canada, and launch infrastructure, led by the RCAF and supported by DND’s Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment).

Budget 2025 announced an investment of $182.6M over the three years to establish a sovereign launch program. That program includes capability development, led by DND’s Defence Research and Development Canada, and launch infrastructure, led by the RCAF and supported by DND’s Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure and Environment).

The announcement supports strategic coherence to increased defence investment to equip the CAF with what it needs to defend Canada, protect our sovereignty, and meet current and future threats.

The announcement supports strategic coherence to increased defence investment to equip the CAF with what it needs to defend Canada, protect our sovereignty, and meet current and future threats.

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The Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces Joint and Combined

Defence Research and Development Canada

Muntaha Ahmed Office of the Minister of National Defence Email : [email protected]

Media Relations Department of National Defence Phone: 613-904-3333 Email: [email protected]