🚀Canada Funds Rocket Companies, Aiming for Sovereign Launch Capability
Canada's Rocket Ambitions Just Got a $8.33M Boost
TL;DR
Canada has awarded $8.33M to three companies to develop rockets with 'light lift' capability. One company, Canada Rocket Company, is ambitiously moving straight to a medium-launch vehicle, the R-2 rocket, aiming for a 2032 launch.
Canada has awarded $8.33M CAD to three companies to develop rockets with 'light lift' capability, signaling larger awards in the future. Canada Rocket Company, one of the recipients, is skipping the small rocket phase and moving directly into developing the R-2 rocket, a medium-lift vehicle capable of carrying up to 12.5 metric tons to low-Earth orbit. This move reflects the company's belief that building a smaller rocket wouldn't de-risk their rocket development program. The company aims to launch the R-2 by 2032 and has raised $22.5M to date, with a Series A fundraise in the works.
Key Points
Canada Rocket Company received $8.33M CAD from the Canadian government to develop the R-2 rocket, a medium-lift vehicle.
The R-2 rocket can carry up to 12.5 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, with nine methane-fueled engines and landing legs.
Canada Rocket Company aims to launch the R-2 rocket by 2032, with a $22.5M funding round to date.
The company is building the Jeremy Hansen Test Facility, a $30 million site for engine testing with up to three test stands.
The facility will be capable of testing engines with over 1MN in thrust, with testing set to begin in about two years.
Why It Matters
Canada Rocket Company's move to develop the R-2 rocket, a medium-lift vehicle, signals a shift towards more ambitious space launch goals. With $8.33M in government funding and a $22.5M funding round, the company is positioning itself to launch by 2032. This development is crucial for companies and governments looking to reduce reliance on US-based aerospace capabilities.
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