Ottawa, together with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and NordSpace, has announced a collaborative investment of $10 million towards the development of a commercial spaceport on the Burin Peninsula in Newfoundland. The Atlantic Spaceport Complex by the Ontario-based aerospace company will be situated in St. Lawrence and aims to become Canada’s primary operational orbital spaceport.
NordSpace revealed that the federal government will contribute $1 million through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program. Newfoundland and Labrador will provide a total of $4 million, consisting of a $1 million term loan and a $3 million forgivable loan contingent upon the establishment of 100 full-time, permanent positions by 2033. NordSpace will contribute $5 million to the project.
CEO of NordSpace, Rahul Goel, emphasized that the initiative is not just about constructing a spaceport but about fostering a future where Canada assumes a leading role in space exploration by launching Canadian-made vehicles, carrying Canadian payloads, from Canadian territory.
Previously, NordSpace faced challenges attempting to launch its suborbital Taiga rocket from St. Lawrence due to technical and logistical issues, resulting in the mission being postponed. The company is now prepared for another launch, awaiting the necessary approvals to proceed.
Sean Fraser, the federal minister overseeing ACOA, highlighted the significance of investing in space exploration endeavors.