Canada Rocket Company Skips Small Rockets for Medium-Lift Vehicle
Canada Rocket Company will bypass the small-rocket phase and develop a medium-launch vehicle, as Canada's space industry grows.
Canada Rocket Company has decided to skip the small-rocket phase and move directly into developing a medium-launch vehicle, according to Ars Technica. The company is one of three firms—alongside NordSpace and Reaction Dynamics—that received initial awards from the Canadian government this spring to support work on rockets with light-lift capability.
The initial awards as part of the Launch the North program were modest, totaling $8.33 million CAD. That funding was intended to help the companies develop light-lift rockets, but Canada Rocket Company is now aiming for a larger vehicle class.
By bypassing the small-rocket phase, Canada Rocket Company hopes to capture a larger share of the launch market. Medium-lift vehicles can carry heavier payloads to orbit, making them suitable for a wider range of commercial and government missions.
The Canadian government's Launch the North initiative is part of a broader effort to build a domestic launch industry. The awards to NordSpace, Reaction Dynamics, and Canada Rocket Company represent the first tranche of support under the program.
Details about the medium-launch vehicle, including its payload capacity and timeline, have not been announced. Canada Rocket Company has not commented publicly on the decision.
Quick answers
What did Canada Rocket Company decide to do?
It decided to skip the small-rocket phase and move directly into developing a medium-launch vehicle.
Which companies received Canadian government awards for light-lift rockets?
NordSpace, Reaction Dynamics, and Canada Rocket Company received the first awards under the Launch the North program.
How much were the initial awards?
The initial awards as part of Launch the North were modest, $8.33 million CAD.