NORDSPACE AWARDED $1M FROM CANADIAN SPACE AGENCY TO ADVANCE ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING FOR ROCKET PROPULSION
NordSpace is proud to announce the award of a $1M Canadian Space Agency Space Technology Development Program (STDP) contribution, accelerating the development of advanced additive manufacturing high-performance liquid rocket propulsion. This milestone builds upon NordSpace's recent launch of its Advanced Manufacturing for Aerospace Lab (AMA Lab). It marks an important step toward commercialization of Canada's sovereign fleet of highl responsive orbital launch vehicles, which NordSpace plans to scale from small-lift to medium-lift capabilities over the next decade to serve the needs of Canada and its Allies.
The multi-material advanced manufacturing project for space propulsion harnesses breakthrough methods, such as novel functionally-graded materials and innovative multi-alloy composites, to optimize rocket engine design, fabrication, and testing. NordSpace will partner with leading Canadian research institutes and small businesses to produce next-generation regeneratively cooled liquid engines, validated through rigorous hot-fire test campaigns and positioned for flight qualification and commercial scale-up.
"Canada's growing demand for responsive and cost-effective medium-lift space launch requires continuous investment in disruptive manufacturing technologies that shorten development cycles, boost reliability, and reduce production costs," said Rahul Goe CEO and Founder of NordSpace. "This CSA STDP awar represents a crucial step for NordSpace and the Canadian aerospace sector. These breakthroughs dire benefit Canada's industrial base, making our factories and labs more competitive and efficient while accelerating the time to market for our Hadfield and Garneau engine lines. Faster development, robust desi and manufacturing leadership are critical for Canada t drive commercial success and, above all, to secure Canada's place on the global stage as a sovereign provider of launch solutions for our country and our Allies."
NordSpace's STDP project will directly support 15 highly-skilled positions across the project partners, and lead to dozens of new engineering and manufacturing positions following successful completion of the project and start of engine commercialization. In addition to fueling job creation, the initiative will deliver cutting-edge additive manufacturing know-how and intellectual property to Canada's aerospace supply chain, enabling technology transfer and economic benefits across adjacent sectors like aviation, energy, and automotive.
To explore partnership opportunities, visit www.nordspace.com or email contact@nordspace.com. NordSpace will also present scott updates on this initiative at the Canadian Space Launc Conference on May 5, 2026 in Ottawa.
Noah Note: Nordspace has had quite the year. This is the second funding announcement in the last few weeks, with the company receiving funding from the Ontario Centre of Innovation in support of establishing their new Advanced Manufacturing for Aerospace Lab (AMA Lab).
The company also oversaw the construction of their new Atlantic Spaceport Complex near St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador this year, and while the first launches of their Taiga rocket had not exactly gone as planned, the company still seems very high on getting them done this year.
Of course I am always one to support innovative efforts, especially with space. These are the steps we need to see taken if we want to build a Sovereign Launch capability at home, and while I would like to see more effort put into the Medium-Launch capability side of things, I can still appreciate these developments, especially because a lot of it was self-funded by Rahul himself.
Budget 2025 committed $182.6 million over three years, starting 2025-26, to DND to establish a Sovereign Space Launch capability. An RFI/RFP regarding that should be out within the next few weeks. Nordspace is readily positioning themselves to be at the forefront of that funding.
However it has yet to be seen what exactly the government is looking for, and with what timelines. I can say that the competition is heating up fast, and there are other, ready players in the shadows ready to pounce as well.
Time shall tell!