Canada’s Push for Responsive, Scalable Space Launch Capabilities Gains Momentum
CSA Injects New Funding Into NordSpace Advanced Manufacturing for Aerospace Lab
A major Canadian Space Agency Space Technology Development Program (STDP) contribution has been awarded to NordSpace to accelerate the development of advanced additive manufacturing for high-performance liquid rocket propulsion. This milestone builds upon NordSpace’s recent launch of its Advanced Manufacturing for Aerospace Lab. It marks an important step toward commercialization of Canada’s sovereign fleet of highly 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.
“This CSA STDP award represents a crucial step for NordSpace and the Canadian aerospace sector.”
Rahul Goel, CEO and Founder of NordSpace
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 Goel, CEO and Founder of NordSpace. “This CSA STDP award represents a crucial step for NordSpace and the Canadian aerospace sector. These breakthroughs directly 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 design, and manufacturing leadership are critical for Canada to 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.”
By advancing the science and application of functionally-graded materials and additive manufacturing, NordSpace is not just innovating but laying the foundation for new highly-skilled jobs in engineering, robotics, materials science, and advanced manufacturing. 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.
This announcement builds on NordSpace’s Advanced Manufacturing for Aerospace Lab launched earlier this year with Ontario Centre for Innovation support. The AMA Lab has already accelerated the design of NordSpace’s 3D-printed Hadfield engines and enhanced development cycles through AI-driven design methodologies and direct validation at the company’s test range. Now, this new CSA STDP project will go further into production methods for these advanced rocket engines.