Atlantic Spaceport Complex

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The Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) is an under-construction commercial space launch facility in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The initiative is being led by NordSpace.[1]

Launch facility

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The launch site is located near the town of St.Lawrence in Newfoundland–about 350 kilometres (220 mi) southwest of St.John's. Construction of the facility was announced in August 2025.[2] The initiative, led by NordSpace, will support suborbital flights and tracking infrastructure.[1][3] Its inaugural test flight, which will be Canada's first commercial rocket launch, is to take place sometime in September.[4] Nordspace plans to launch it's smaller Taiga rocket for the facility's maiden flight, and has future plans to launch it's 26-metre orbital rocket Tundra at the same facility.[4]

The facility is planned to have 2 launch locations. The smaller site is expected to feature ground station equipment, such as satellite communication and rocket communication systems, radar, and a small launch area used for launching weather balloons and sounding rockets for upper atmospheric research. The larger site is planned to be the location of 2 launchpads used for launching orbital rockets.[5]

Taiga rocket

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Taiga is a 6-metre tall suborbital rocket created by Nordspace planned to launch from the Atlantic Spaceport Complex.[4][6] While the Taiga rocket will not head into orbit per se, it is expected to pass the Kármán line which is considered the defining line between Earth and space.[7] The suborbital test flight is expected to last 30 seconds, according to the company's CEO Rahul Goel.[1] The rocket is powered by its 3D-printed Hadfield Mk III engine, and took about a year of development to complete.[4][8]

The facility's first mission, named "Getting Screeched In" will feature the company's Taiga rocket. "Getting Screeched In" is a tradition in Newfoundland of initiating visitors to the island's culture by inviting them to have a shot of rum, kiss a cod, and recite local slang.[8]

Launch attempts

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Taiga's first launch was scheduled to happen Monday 25 August 2025, but was rescheduled to Friday due to unfavourable weather.[9][6]

First launch attempt

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The Taiga rocket's first launch attempt occurred on Friday 29 August 2025, but was scrubbed at 11:45 a.m. NDT, due to an issue caused by a quick disconnect from the nitrogen tank. Around that time the rocket entered safe mode and a generator stopped supplying compressed air. The issue was resolved soon after.[6][10]

Second launch attempt

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Later that same day, a second launch window opened from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. however the earliest the rocket could launch was at 4:50 p.m.[6] 58 seconds to launch at 6:37 p.m. the launch countdown timer was held. About 1 minute later at 6:38 p.m. the rocket's ignition system misfired, however the vehicle did not launch. A possible cause of the incident was that the rocket's launch timer was paused but the igniter's timer was not, causing it to fire prematurely.[11] The issue was likely caused by a software glitch.[6]

Third launch attempt

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A future launch attempt is planned for September.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Dinner, Josh (15 August 2025). "Canada's 1st commercial spaceport is officially under construction. When will it open for launches?". Space.com. New York: Future plc. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  2. ^ Kean, Gary (12 August 2025). "The next giant leap: Construction on spaceport begins in St. Lawrence". The Telegram. St. John's, Newfoundland: Postmedia Network. Archived from the original on 19 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  3. ^ Head, Jenna (29 July 2025). "NordSpace to launch first rocket out of St. Lawrence in August". CBC News. St John's, Newfoundland: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 23 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d CBC News (21 August 2025). Can Canada get rockets into space? We're about to find out. The National. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 30 August 2025 – via YouTube.
  5. ^ NordSpace (3 April 2025). NTV News - NordSpace Spaceport in St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador. Retrieved 30 August 2025 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ a b c d e f 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. ^ Carroll, Tobias (17 August 2025). "Construction Begins on First Canadian Commercial Spaceport". InsideHook. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
  8. ^ a b 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.
  9. ^ Cole, Abby (27 August 2025). "It's rocket science: St. Lawrence rocket launch delayed days due to weather". CBC News. Newfoundland: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Launch Information". NordSpace. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
  11. ^ NordSpace (29 August 2025). Live - NordSpace First Sub-Orbital Flight. Retrieved 30 August 2025 – via YouTube.

Further reading

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