NordSpace to launch first rocket out of St. Lawrence in August

One small step for NordSpace is one giant leap for Newfoundland and Labrador — as the aerospace company plans to launch Canada's first commercial rocket to space from the town of St. Lawrence next month. 

NordSpace founder and CEO, Rahul Goel, said the launch will be a test of the company's single-engine rocket system — a 16-meter-long rocket created using 3D-printed metal. 

"The launch this summer will be a single-engine suborbital test flight, which will be about 30 seconds," Goel told CBC's Newfoundland Morning. 

NordSpace eyed the Newfoundland town of St. Lawrence because of its position in achieving the right orbital inclinations, Goel said.

The company plans to build two launch pads, according to the town — one at Deep Cove and another along Lighthouse Road.

Ahead of the launch, a road will be built in St. Lawrence, but Goel said most of the equipment will be brought in from the company's main facility in Ontario.

"We're literally bringing our rocket, bringing our systems while the roads are being built, and it's quite a sight to see," he said.

Goel said St. Lawrence will eventually be home to a spaceport complex. 

"It's going to eventually consist of about two launch pads and ground infrastructure like radar tracking, rocket and satellite communication systems and all of that," he said.

The first test launch is scheduled to take place during the last week of August. 

While the rockets won't carry humans, they will carry payloads or small satellites into low orbit, between 500 and 1,000 kilometres into space.

"We're very excited as individuals, and as a company, to deliver what we consider a national victory for Canada," Goel said. 

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