CANADA ROCKET COMPANY SELECTED AS A KEY PARTNER BY CANADA TO DELIVER SOVEREIGN SPACE LAUNCH CAPABILITIES
Press Release
TORONTO, ON — March 16, 2026 Following a competitive process, Canada Rocket Company (CRC) has been chosen and awarded an $8.3 million grant by the Government of Canada under the Department of National Defence’s IDEaS Program to establish new space launch capabilities in Canada.
CRC will use the funding to accelerate the development of its responsive light-lift vehicle. This platform is specifically designed to evolve into a medium-lift vehicle capable of deploying up to 6,500kg to orbit by the early 2030s, providing Canada with a comprehensive sovereign launch capability.
“This award confirms the significant progress Canada Rocket Company is making to secure investments that will enable us to deploy sovereign medium-lift rocket launch capabilities by 2034,” said Hugh Kolias, CEO, Canada Rocket Company. “We appreciate the confidence Prime Minister Carney and the Government of Canada have shown in Canada Rocket Company and in supporting Canadian high-tech jobs, innovation, and strategically important sovereign capabilities.”
Sovereign Space Launch
Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, released in February 2026, confirmed “Space Launch” as one of Canada’s ten (10) key sovereign capabilities, “for which the new DIA [Defence Investment Agency] will be prioritizing build-in-Canada.”
The Strategy notes “sovereign capabilities are those without which Canada cannot defend its sovereignty or meet its allied commitments. To qualify, a capability must be critical to the ability to defend Canada; an area of strength in Canada or have the potential to be one; and in demand by our Allies and partners to support collective defence and enable exports.”
The ability to launch medium-lift rockets from our extensive territory is crucial to ensuring reliable access to space while advancing our national security interests. A domestic launch capability provides the resilience needed to deploy critical assets while keeping Canadian communications, GPS, and defence systems operational.
Commercial market
According to a report from Precedence Research, the space technology market is on track to more than double from $512 billion to over $1 trillion by 2035, driven by the rapid shift toward reusable rockets and miniaturized satellites.
CRC’s Continued Momentum Since January 2026 Launch
Since its public debut in mid-January 2026, Canada Rocket Company has maintained an aggressive growth trajectory, embodying the Defence Industrial Strategy’s vision of a strong, innovative Canadian defence industrial base:
Global Talent on Canadian Soil: CRC has doubled its team of elite senior engineers from Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, SpaceX, Orbex, Tesla and Pangea Propulsion - demonstrating its ability to attract and repatriate world-leading expertise.
Infrastructure Growth: Construction has begun on a new 7,600 square-foot engine development facility in Toronto for its 700kN methalox E-1 engine.
Record Funding: Following a $6.2M all-Canadian seed round, CRC’s total funding to date has reached $14.7 million, further accelerating development timelines.
Quote from the Minister of National Defence
“Today, we build on Canada’s proud legacy as a nation of innovators, explorers, and builders. With this step, we are not only advancing our capabilities here on Earth—we are reaffirming our place among the spacefaring nations shaping the future beyond it. Because in the decades ahead, our security, our prosperity, and our sovereignty will increasingly extend beyond our atmosphere. Canada will be there. Ad Astra Defendimus”
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
About Canada Rocket Company
Canada Rocket Company is a Toronto-based aerospace firm developing sovereign launch capabilities. With a leadership team bringing over 100 years of combined orbital flight experience, CRC is securing Canada’s strategic autonomy and resilience by providing assured access to space.
Web: www.canadarocketcompany.com