NordSpace

NordSpace
TypePrivate
IndustryAerospace
Founded2022; 4 years ago (2022)
FounderRahul Goel
Headquarters
Markham, Ontario, Canada
Key peopleRahul Goel (CEO)
ProductsTaiga, Tundra launch vehicles; Athena satellite bus
ServicesLaunch services, suborbital research flights
Websitewww.nordspace.com

NordSpace is a Canadian aerospace company specializing in the development of small launch vehicles and satellite systems. The company is developing the Taiga suborbital launch vehicle and the Tundra orbital launch vehicle, as well as the Athena satellite bus. NordSpace is also developing a commercial launch site in Newfoundland and Labrador known as the Atlantic Spaceport Complex.

NordSpace was founded by Rahul Goel in 2022
Taiga Rocket at the Atlantic Spaceport Complex in August 2025
The Hadfield rocket engine is made in Markham, Ontario
Render of NordSpace's Tundra Orbital Launch Vehicle deploying satellite in low Earth orbit

History

NordSpace was founded in 2022 in Markham, Ontario by entrepreneur Rahul Goel. Goel previously founded the event management platform PheedLoop and invested approximately CA$5,000,000 of personal capital into NordSpace.

In March 2025, NordSpace announced the Supersonic and Hypersonic Applications Research Platform (SHARP) program, which includes the SHARP Arrow unmanned aircraft, the SHARP Sabre rocket-based platform, and the M2S-HyRock rocket engine.

In August 2025, the company broke ground on the Atlantic Spaceport Complex in Newfoundland and Labrador.

NordSpace conducted a launch campaign for its Taiga rocket in August 2025 from St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador. Launch attempts were delayed due to weather and technical issues, including a ground safety system fault, and no launch occurred during the campaign.

Launch vehicles

NordSpace is developing small launch vehicles for suborbital and orbital missions.

Taiga

Taiga is a suborbital launch vehicle intended for research and technology demonstration payloads. The vehicle is used as a test platform for propulsion systems and flight technologies.

Tundra

Tundra is an orbital launch vehicle under development, with a reusable first stage, intended to deliver small satellites to orbit.

Satellites

In 2026, the company plans to launch its first satellite Terra Nova.

Rocket engines

NordSpace develops rocket engines using additive manufacturing techniques.

Hadfield engine

The Hadfield Mk III engine is a 3D-printed rocket engine developed by NordSpace and used on the Taiga vehicle during its 2025 launch campaign.

M2S-HyRock

The M2S-HyRock is a 3D-printed rocket engine introduced as part of the SHARP program.

Launch infrastructure

NordSpace is developing the Atlantic Spaceport Complex in Newfoundland and Labrador to support future launch operations.

Launch history

NordSpace launch history
DateVehicleOutcomeNotes
29 August 2025TaigaNo launchFirst launch attempt scrubbed at 11:45 a.m. NDT due to loss of power to quick-disconnect mechanism from generator issue
29 August 2025TaigaNo launchSecond attempt: engine ignition achieved at 18:38 NDT, but automatic misfire detection system shut down engine; later determined to be a false trigger

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "About us". NordSpace. NordSpace. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 McLauchlan, Madison (29 August 2025). "NordSpace's rocket launch thwarted by faulty safety system, weather delays". BetaKit. Archived from the original on 2 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  3. ↑ Kennedy, Alex (25 January 2025). "This man wants a tiny Newfoundland town to house Canada's first commercial spaceport". CBC News. Newfoundland and Labrador: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  4. ↑ Colley, Mark (19 July 2025). "This Toronto entrepreneur is betting millions on getting to space. Inside Canada's space race". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 1 September 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  5. 1 2 Gorman, Douglas (19 March 2025). "NordSpace Unveils SHARP Program for Canadian Defense". Payload. Archived from the original on 21 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 Ryan, Maddie; Kennedy, Alex (29 August 2025). "NordSpace making second attempt at Canada's first commercial space launch in St. Lawrence, N.L." CBC News. St. John's, Newfoundland: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
  7. 1 2 Boucher, Mark (27 August 2025). "NordSpace targets Taiga suborbital launch attempt for Thursday or Friday". SpaceQ. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  8. ↑ McLauchlan, Madison (1 December 2025). "Canada's NordSpace announces 2026 satellite launch on SpaceX rocket | BetaKit". Retrieved 28 September 2026.
  9. ↑ Riehl, Alex (12 August 2025). "NordSpace breaks ground on new Atlantic Spaceport Complex in Newfoundland". BetaKit. Archived from the original on 19 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.

Further reading

Articles

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