Canada Centralizes Trade Support for Space and Defence Exports
Canada’s federal government has launched its Strategic Exports Office to coordinate diplomatic and financial backing for Canadian businesses pursuing major international contracts. International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu announced the initiative on July 30 at MDA Space’s headquarters in Brampton, Ontario, consolidating services from Global Affairs Canada, Export Development Canada, and the Canadian Commercial Corporation.
The office addresses what Sidhu characterized as a competitive disadvantage: foreign governments directly intervene to secure contracts for their own firms. “They would get to the finish line, another state leader would swoop in, a trade minister would swoop in, make a call, and billions of dollars of deals would be lost,” Sidhu said. “So better coordination is what’s required, is what industries have asked for.”
The announcement venue at MDA Space carries symbolic weight. MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley, who recently led acquisitions of U.S. defence firm Blue Canyon Technologies and France-based Earth observation company Collecte Localisation Satellites, has participated in recent federal trade missions to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan. Greenley projects MDA Space’s workforce will expand to 5,500 employees across 43 sites in 23 countries by January 2027.
NordSpace Ventures Backs Canadian Precision Interception Technology
NordSpace Ventures has invested in Calgary-based North Vector Dynamics, deepening a technical partnership between the orbital propulsion company and the defence technology firm. The investment marks NordSpace Ventures’ second capital deployment since the division’s launch earlier this year, with plans to invest up to $2 million annually in Canadian aerospace and defence firms.
North Vector Dynamics develops precision interception systems and high-speed propulsion technology, holding a $4.2 million Defence Research and Development Canada contract for aeropropulsion development. The company’s product portfolio includes the CM-70 precision-guided interceptor and counter-drone systems, with a roadmap focused on hypersonic flight capabilities.
NordSpace CEO Rahul Goel framed the investment as enabling both companies to move faster on converging priorities: “Canadian-owned, ITAR-free, technically world-class, and building sovereign hardware for the threats that actually matter.” Both firms participate in the Department of National Defence’s Hypersonic Innovation Micro-net. By investing in North Vector Dynamics, NordSpace gains access to flight dynamics and missile guidance expertise; North Vector gains access to NordSpace’s Hadfield-150 rocket engine manufacturing and testing infrastructure.
Blue Origin Rebuilds LC-36, Targets 2026 Return to Flight
Two months after losing a New Glenn rocket during a static fire test, Blue Origin is rebuilding its Florida launch site with a new operational concept and racing to return to flight before year-end. CEO Dave Limp has posted regular construction updates as crews work through major reconfiguration phases.
On July 28, Limp announced completion of the Vehicle Access Tower destacking at Launch Complex 36, removing the top six modules to enable integration of fluids and controls—cryogenic systems, pneumatics, and mechanisms—before restacking begins. On July 30, the company installed the first six panels of new north-facing doors on the Integration Facility, each 27 metres tall and weighing 18,143 kilograms, combining for a 60-metre-wide opening. The south end will receive matching doors.
Blue Origin is also evaluating alternative test sites for the New Glenn second stage to accelerate the vehicle’s return-to-flight schedule, a sign the company is exploring multiple pathways to meet its end-of-2026 target.
Provider: SpaceX Date: August 1, 2026 Time: 2:00 AM UTC Vehicle: Falcon 9
A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
Unknown Payload
Provider: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Date: August 4, 2026 Time: 8:50 AM UTC Vehicle: Long March 8A
Details TBD.
Starlink Group 17-53
Provider: SpaceX Date: August 4, 2026 Time: 2:00 PM UTC Vehicle: Falcon 9
A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
Unknown Payload
Provider: China Rocket Co. Ltd. Date: August 5, 2026 Time: 2:35 AM UTC Vehicle: Smart Dragon 3
Details TBD.
BlueBird 11-13 (Block 2 #6-8)
Provider: SpaceX Date: August 5, 2026 Time: 7:42 AM UTC Vehicle: Falcon 9
AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of the BlueBird Block 1 satellites, required to achieve 24/7 continuous cellular broadband service coverage in the United States, with beams designed to support a capacity of up to 40 MHz, enabling peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps, supporting voice, full data and video applications. The Block 2 BlueBirds, featuring as large as 2400 square foot communications arrays, will be the largest satellites ever commercially deployed in Low Earth orbit once launched.
This launch will feature 3 satellites.
Starlink Group 17-52 ×
Mission Details
TypeCommunications
OrbitLow Earth Orbit
TargetEarth
A batch of 24 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
The Long March 8A is an orbital launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology based on the Long March 8. It has an increased capability of up to 7 tonnes to a 700 km altitude sun-synchronous orbit. It implements a larger 3.35 meters diameter liquid hydrogen/liquid…
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
Smart Dragon-3 is a solid fuel orbital rocket designed by a subsidiary of the state-owned CASC group built for the commercial market.
Specifications
Length32 m
Diameter2.64 m
Launch Mass140 t
SSO Capacity1,500 kg
ReusableNo
Maiden Flight2022-12-09
Launch Record
11 successful / 11 total launches
Current streak: 11 successful
BlueBird 11-13 (Block 2 #6-8) ×
Mission Details
TypeCommunications
OrbitLow Earth Orbit
TargetEarth
AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of the BlueBird Block 1 satellites, required to achieve 24/7 continuous cellular broadband service coverage in the United States, with beams designed to support a capacity of up to 40 MHz, enabling peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps, supporting voice, full data and video applications. The Block 2 BlueBirds, featuring as large as 2400 square foot communications arrays, will be the largest satellites ever commercially deployed in Low Earth orbit once launched.
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
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