NASA Taps SFL Missions to Build Eight Satellites for Solar Wind Study
Toronto‑based SFL Missions Inc. has secured a NASA contract to build eight 150‑kilogram “Node” satellites for the HelioSwarm science mission. The Nodes will ride on a larger Hub spacecraft before deploying into coordinated formations in high‑Earth orbit. Built on SFL’s DAUNTLESS bus, each satellite will host an instrument suite developed by a multinational academic consortium. The constellation aims to capture the first multiscale measurements of solar‑wind magnetic fluctuations, data that could improve protection for astronauts, satellites and GPS signals.
Artemis 2 Countdown Continues – No Issues
NASA’s Artemis II mission is on track for a 6:24 p.m. EDT launch on April 1, 2026, with the countdown now entering the L‑15H30M window. All non‑essential personnel have cleared Launch Complex 39B and critical pre‑launch activities such as nitrogen inerting and ground launch...
DND’s $51.7 Billion Plan for 2026-27 Includes a New Space Rocketry Challenge
Canada’s Department of National Defence unveiled a $51.7 billion CAD (≈$37.7 billion USD) 2026‑27 plan that earmarks new resources for space defence. The plan includes a $25 million CAD (≈$18 million USD) Space Rocketry Challenge for 2026‑27, rising to $50 million CAD (≈$36 million USD) annually,...
INO and CRIM Merge to Form Luqia Technologies with $52M Federal Backing
The Canadian government is investing about $38 million USD (CAD $52 million) to launch Luqia Technologies, an industrial innovation lab formed by merging the National Optics Institute (INO) and the Computer Research Institute of Montréal (CRIM). The lab, operating from Quebec City...
Kinova Joins Mission Control-Led Consortium for Canadian Lunar Utility Vehicle Bid
Canada’s Mission Control consortium has selected Quebec‑based robotics firm Kinova to build the robotic manipulator for the nation’s first Lunar Utility Vehicle (LUV). The LUV is a 1,000‑kg heavy‑duty rover designed for a minimum ten‑year lifespan, supporting NASA’s Artemis program...
CSA Announces $3.6M Opportunity for Life Sciences Research on the ISS
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has launched a $3.6 million CAD (≈ $2.6 million USD) Announcement of Opportunity to fund health and life‑sciences research on the International Space Station. Up to $900,000 CAD (≈ $660,000 USD) per project will be awarded to Canadian teams...
Artemis 2 Moon Rocket Reaches Launch Pad as April 1 Launch Window Approaches
NASA’s Artemis 2 mission progressed as the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft were rolled out to Launch Pad 39B on March 20, marking the start of final pre‑launch activities. The crew—Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and...
Canada-Japan Agreement Signals Shift to Dual-Use Space Defence Tech
Canada and Japan have signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that merges their space and defence industrial bases. The deal expands the earlier Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement, targeting joint development of space communications, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. By moving...
In Space, Trust Comes Before Innovation
The article argues that traditional go‑to‑market playbooks don’t work for space startups because the sector isn’t a single, homogeneous market. Customers—government agencies, commercial operators, and prime contractors—have vastly different risk tolerances and value definitions. In space, perceived mission risk trumps...
Canadian Space Agency Terminates Lunar Rover Mission in 2026-27 Plan
The Canadian Space Agency’s 2026‑27 Departmental Plan announces a $913.9 million budget but mandates internal savings, leading to the outright termination of the Lunar Rover Mission approved in 2022. The cut begins with a $6.66 million reduction in 2026‑27 and will grow...
Why Novaspace Says In-Orbit Refuelling Is Vital for Space Superiority
Novaspace’s new white paper argues that the United States and Europe must prioritize in‑orbit satellite refuelling to secure space superiority. The paper, based on a 2025 conference of defense, commercial and investment leaders, warns that current propellant limits constrain satellite...
Launch the North: Canada Bets $305M on Domestic Rockets and a Nova Scotia Spaceport to Secure the High Ground
Canada has announced a $305 million sovereign launch program, anchored by a $200 million lease for Spaceport Nova Scotia. The Department of National Defence is injecting $24.9 million into three domestic startups—NordSpace, Canada Rocket Company and Reaction Dynamics—to develop rapid‑response rockets capable of...
Artemis 2 Set for April Lunar Launch as NASA Navigates Gateway Uncertainty
NASA gave Artemis 2 a tentative go‑ahead for an April 1‑6 launch, with the Space Launch System slated to roll out on March 19 after a successful flight‑readiness review. The crew, including NASA’s Wiseman, Glover, Koch and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen, confirmed readiness, while...
Telesat Acquires Land in Quebec, Saskatchewan for Lightspeed Landing Stations
Telesat has secured three parcels of land in Quebec and Saskatchewan to build Lightspeed ground stations, with the Quebec facility slated for completion in Q3 2024 and the two Saskatchewan sites expected by the end of 2026. These stations will...
EarthDaily and ABB Reveal First High Precision Images From Orbit
EarthDaily released the first public images from its EDC‑01 satellite, confirming that the ABB‑built imaging system meets daily global‑monitoring standards. The satellite digitizes 20 billion pixels per second and carries 16 multispectral assemblies covering 22 spectral bands. EarthDaily will launch six...
Canada and India Move to Update Decades-Old Space Ties
Canada and India marked the 30th anniversary of their space collaboration by agreeing to a new Implementing Arrangement that expands joint work in atmospheric science, space robotics, human spaceflight, quantum communications and AI‑driven aerospace. The deal builds on agreements from...
The Voice of Mission Control: Jenni Gibbons on Guiding Artemis 2 to the Moon
Canadian astronaut Jenni Gibbons has been appointed Capsule Communicator (Capcom) for NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flight in over five decades. As the sole voice from Mission Control to the four‑person crew, she will translate complex flight‑control data...
Canada’s Space Commander on Protecting Satellites From Jamming and Potential Nuclear Risks
Brigadier‑General Christopher Horner, commander of Canada’s 3 Space Division, warned that a nuclear detonation in low‑Earth orbit would generate an electromagnetic pulse capable of crippling global satellite services. He highlighted that Russia’s electronic‑warfare jamming already extends into space, threatening commercial...
South Korean Launch Provider INNOSPACE Eyes Canadian Expansion via Spaceport Nova Scotia
South Korean launch provider INNOSPACE has signed a Letter of Intent with Maritime Launch Services to explore hosting its HANBIT hybrid‑rocket system at Spaceport Nova Scotia. The partnership aims to bypass Naro Space Center’s slot scarcity and trajectory restrictions, giving...
Jeremy Hansen on Dealing with Artemis 2 Emergencies
Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen outlined Artemis 2’s emergency protocols, emphasizing two pre‑launch abort options: a rapid egress from the launch pad or an abort‑seat‑style capsule ejection within five minutes of liftoff. He detailed post‑abort survival steps, including suit donning,...
New Alliances: The Space Defence Implications of the Canada-Japan ETTA
Canada and Japan have signed an Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement (ETTA) to co‑develop defence projects and share technology, including space‑related capabilities. The deal aligns with Canada’s push to diversify away from US‑centric procurement and Japan’s move to expand its...
Space Data Meets Ground Troops: The Calian-ADGA Training Partnership
Calian Group and ADGA Group have signed a three‑year partnership to create advanced land‑training simulators for the Canadian Army, embedding full C5ISRT networks into synthetic battlefields. Both firms bring deep satellite communications and secure simulation expertise, ensuring virtual environments mirror...
Real-Time Radiation Tracking: Canada’s Newest Contribution to the Moon Race
The Canadian Space Agency has earmarked $5.5 million for Ontario‑based Bubble Technology Industries to develop the Canadian Active Neutron Spectrometer (CANS). The device will provide real‑time neutron radiation measurements for Artemis missions, addressing a major health hazard for astronauts beyond Earth’s...
CSA to Invest in Future Lunar Mining and Power Infrastructure
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has launched the Lunar Surface Exploration Initiative (LSEI) Architecture Studies to shape Canada’s contributions to NASA’s Artemis program. The agency will fund up to two contracts per focus area—mining and in‑situ resource utilization (ISRU) and...
Halifax’s Galaxia Mission Systems to Expand Facility, Engineering Team Following Federal Investment
Galaxia Mission Systems, the sole space‑sector firm among nine Nova Scotia recipients, secured a $218,750 repayable contribution from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. The funding, part of a $4 million regional allocation under the federal Defence Industrial Strategy, will expand Galaxia’s...
Industry Input Wanted for Next Canadian Space Agency Priority Technologies
The Canadian Space Agency has issued a Request for Information titled “Enabling Technologies for Future Missions” to gather industry input before launching its next Space Technology Development Program (STDP) solicitation. Historically, the STDP has been under‑funded, receiving only $147 million over...
Food Security for the Arctic and Deep Space Takes Next Step in New CSA Opportunity
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has issued a tender to co‑develop a conceptual design for a deployable Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) unit, mandating partnership with an Inuit firm from Nunavut. The 23‑month contract, valued up to $745,000, aims to produce...
The Space Data Layer – Building an Interoperable Internet in Space
The satellite sector is shifting from launch‑centric hardware to data‑centric services, introducing a "space data layer" that fuses edge computing, AI, and optical links in orbit. This layer aims to turn raw sensor streams into sub‑second, actionable insights, effectively extending...
DND Offering $2M for Prototypes to Counter Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Threats
The Department of National Defence (DND) has launched a $2 million procurement challenge to develop prototypes that protect low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite communications from hostile radio‑frequency interference. The initiative, run through Innovative Solutions Canada, targets adaptive beamforming technologies capable of withstanding single‑tone...
Space Identified as a Key Sovereign Capability in New Defence Industrial Strategy
Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy (DIA) has elevated space to a sovereign capability, creating a Build‑Partner‑Buy procurement model that puts domestic firms first. The plan earmarks $6.6 B from the 2025 budget and billions more through 2035 for space‑based intelligence, satellite communications,...
Telesat Government Solutions Wins Spot on U.S. Missile Defense Agency SHIELD Contract
Telesat Government Solutions, the U.S. arm of Canada’s Telesat, has been awarded a position on the Pentagon’s $1.51 billion Missile Defense Agency SHIELD contract, a 10‑year IDIQ program. The win places the company’s upcoming Lightspeed low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) satellite constellation as a...
Chief Science Advisor Urges Canada to Double Down on Quantum as Conservatives Question Advisor Role
Canada’s new Chief Science Advisor, Dr. Mona Nemer, told parliament that the country is among the world’s top five quantum research nations and called for a renewed, amplified investment in quantum technologies. She highlighted quantum’s potential to transform sectors such...
Calian Group Expands Defence and Space Footprint in Record First Quarter
Calian Group posted a record Q1 2026 revenue of $208 million, up 12% year‑over‑year, driven by recent acquisitions and organic defence growth. The company secured $171 million of new contracts, including a November 2025 deal to build four Ka/Q/V‑band RF gateway stations for a...
Galaxia Selects Impulso.Space to Support Launch for Its MissionOne Program
Galaxia Mission Systems announced a multi‑launch agreement with Italy’s Impulso.Space to support its MissionOne turnkey satellite program. The partnership, formalized at Space Tech Expo Europe and revealed on Feb. 5, gives Galaxia access to Impulso’s end‑to‑end launch services from a U.S....
Canadian Space Institute Targets Continental Workforce with US Expansion
The North American Space Institute (NASI), a Canadian‑origin space technician school, has announced partnerships with U.S. firms Learning Exchange Inc. (LEXX) and Alliance Cyber to launch a continent‑wide training standard. Its flagship Space Systems Technician (SST) program, the first certified...
Canada Ranks as the 5th Largest Starlink Market
Ookla’s 2025 Global Satellite Broadband Performance Report confirms Starlink’s dominance, placing Canada as the fifth‑largest market after the United States, Mexico, Indonesia and Brazil. By mid‑2025 more than 500,000 Canadians had subscribed to the service, reflecting rapid consumer uptake. After...
Operational Resilience Is the New Gold Standard in Defence SatCom
The Global Satellite Operators Association webinar highlighted operational resilience as the emerging gold standard for defence satellite communications. Panelists from ST Engineering iDirect, SES, MDA Space and Global Invacom argued that static, encrypted links must evolve into dynamic, multi‑orbit networks...
Artemis 2 Launch Pushed to March Launch Window
NASA concluded its Artemis 2 wet‑dress rehearsal early after encountering multiple technical setbacks, including a liquid hydrogen leak and a valve that required retorquing. The countdown was automatically aborted when leak rates spiked, and cold‑weather conditions further complicated camera operations. As...
Artemis 2 Wet Dress Rehearsal “Go” For Tanking
NASA’s Artemis 2 wet‑dress rehearsal entered its simulated launch window on Feb 2, with the countdown clock opening at 9 p.m. EST. Technicians completed an inerting purge, replacing ambient air with gaseous nitrogen to eliminate fire risk while personnel cleared the area. Launch director...
Tomorrow.io Announces DeepSky a New AI Satellite Constellation Privatizing Precision Weather
Tomorrow.io unveiled DeepSky, an AI‑native satellite constellation designed to deliver high‑frequency, customized weather and ocean data for enterprise and government users. The company received operational‑grade validation from NOAA, which praised the microwave sounders’ radiometric accuracy and cross‑satellite consistency. DeepSky builds...
Canadian Space Agency Looking for Ground Segment Concept Studies for RADARSAT+
The Canadian Space Agency has released a Request for Proposals to develop a modern ground‑segment concept for the upcoming RADARSAT+ synthetic‑aperture‑radar constellation. The initiative builds on a 2023 federal investment of $1.012 billion aimed at replenishing the current RADARSAT Constellation Mission...
Canada’s Next Eye on the Moon
Western University’s team, led by Professor Jayshri Sabarinathan, has been awarded a $3.8 million Phase 0 contract by the Canadian Space Agency to build a Dual Sensor Multispectral Imager (DS‑MSI) for a lunar utility rover. The DS‑MSI integrates visible‑near‑infrared and short‑wave infrared...
Calian to Kick-Start $100M Sovereign C5ISRT Strategic Initiative
Calian has launched a $100 million sovereign C5ISRT strategic initiative to accelerate Canada’s command, control, computing, communications, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting capabilities. The funding will flow through Calian VENTURES, a platform that partners with Canadian SMEs and draws on...
How Will the Artemis 2 Crew Pilot the Orion Spacecraft
Artemis 2 will be the first crewed flight of NASA's Orion spacecraft, which is built to operate both autonomously and under manual control. Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen explains that each astronaut will have a dedicated hand controller, allowing translation and rotation...
A Good Sign: Artemis 2 Astronauts Now in Quarantine
NASA confirmed on Jan 23 that the Artemis 2 crew began their health‑stabilization program, effectively entering quarantine. The 14‑day isolation is a key checkpoint before the targeted evening launch on Feb 6, with the astronauts slated to return to Florida between Jan 31 and...
Filling the Manufacturing Gap: How SCCI Revived a Critical Canadian Capability
Space Credibility Canada Inc. (SCCI), a 2023 startup built from former Leonardo DRS assets and staff, has re‑established Canada’s space‑qualified manufacturing capability. The firm specializes in low‑volume, high‑mix circuit card assembly and recently won a $2 million contract to supply 16...
How Artemis 2 Will Communicate From Deep Space
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen explains that Artemis 2 will rely on NASA’s Deep Space Network for most voice and data links, enabling near‑continuous contact with Mission Control. The crew will experience a roughly 45‑minute communications blackout while traversing the Moon’s far...
NordSpace Receives $335k Grant for Additive Manufacturing Development
Markham‑based NordSpace has secured up to $335,000 from the NRC IRAP to advance additive manufacturing for its rocket engines. The company will work with Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology and engineering firm SWMS to integrate high‑speed laser deposition and...
Record Number of Canadian Payloads Set for Launch in 2026
SpaceQ reports a record 39 Canadian payloads slated for launch in 2026, marking a sharp rise from the 63 launched over the past five years. The roster includes 11 organizations, almost entirely commercial small‑satellite missions, with only one non‑commercial payload....
Before the Canadarm, There Was Hermes: Canada’s 50-Year Space Legacy
Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of Canada’s Communications Technology Satellite, known as Hermes, launched on 17 January 1976 in partnership with NASA and ESA. The satellite was the most powerful communications platform of its era, featuring a 200 W transmitter and the first...
