NordSpace is set to make another attempt at Canada’s first commercial rocket launch this week, scheduling a Wednesday afternoon window in St. Lawrence, Newfoundland.
The aerospace startup is working to launch its six-metre Taiga rocket, designed using 3D-printed metal, in what would be a milestone for Canadian spaceflight. The mission will be live streamed for the public.
The company had originally prepared for a Wednesday morning attempt but later shifted the window to the afternoon due to weather restrictions. “Minimum ceiling is about 5,000 feet,” NordSpace said during its livestream, noting that future orbital vehicles will be less constrained by such conditions.
Tuesday’s launch efforts ended with two separate delays. The first was due to a small boat straying into the restricted launch zone. The second was stopped just 30 seconds before ignition when smoke and flames appeared near the base of the rocket. CEO Rahul Goel later explained that the fire was caused by residual propellant on the launch pad and stressed that such incidents are not uncommon in rocket testing.
NordSpace has faced multiple setbacks in recent weeks. In late August, the company came within a minute of launch before scrubbing the mission due to an ignition problem. Despite the challenges, the team remains optimistic that this week’s attempt will mark a historic breakthrough.
If successful, the suborbital launch will send the Taiga briefly into flight before it splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean — lasting about one minute in total.
The launch represents a pivotal step for Canada’s entry into the commercial space race, with Newfoundland’s south coast emerging as a new hub for private aerospace innovation.
