Canada Clears Path for First Orbital Launch Complex

After a successful environmental review, NordSpace has received the green light to move forward with construction of its orbital launch complex in St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador. The provincial government’s approval on December 19, 2025, marks a significant milestone for Canada’s emerging commercial space sector. While the company has already begun work on suborbital infrastructure, this decision unlocks the next phase: building facilities capable of supporting orbital launches, including mission control.

The project—now officially named the Atlantic Spaceport Complex—comes with environmental safeguards, reflecting the region’s ecologically sensitive wetlands. Among the conditions, NordSpace must conduct seasonal surveys for the Short-Eared Owl before any ground disturbance and develop a detailed plan to protect nearby public water supplies from potential contamination related to fuel handling. The spaceport is projected to support up to 20 launches per year once fully operational. For a country long reliant on foreign launch services, this development offers a tangible step toward sovereign access to space.

ULA Leadership Shakeup Amid Evolving Launch Market

United Launch Alliance announced on December 22, 2025, that CEO Tory Bruno has stepped down to “pursue another opportunity,” ending a decade-long tenure that saw ULA navigate major transitions—from the retirement of legacy rockets like Delta IV to the development of the new Vulcan Centaur. John Elbon, former ULA COO and a seasoned aerospace executive, will serve as interim CEO while the company’s board launches a search for a permanent replacement.

Bruno’s leadership coincided with increased competition from SpaceX and the rise of commercial launch services. Under his watch, ULA secured key national security contracts and pushed Vulcan through its critical development phase, including a successful debut flight in 2024. His departure arrives at a pivotal moment: Vulcan is now expected to shoulder the bulk of ULA’s manifest, including NASA and Department of Defense missions. Industry observers note that the next CEO will need to balance ULA’s heritage of reliability with the financial and technical pressures of a rapidly commercializing launch market. Elbon’s interim role suggests a steady hand during this transition, though long-term strategy remains in flux.

China’s Long March 12A Reaches Orbit—But Reusability Remains Elusive

China’s latest effort to join the reusable launch club met with partial success this week. On December 22, 2025, the inaugural flight of the Long March 12A—a new variant designed for first-stage recovery—successfully delivered its payload to orbit. However, the attempted downrange landing of the booster failed, according to state media and confirmed by SpaceNews.

The Long March 12A, developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), is part of Beijing’s broader push to reduce launch costs through reusability, mirroring strategies pioneered by SpaceX. While details about the failure remain sparse, the fact that the vehicle reached orbit on its first try is a notable technical achievement. Still, without successful recovery, the economic benefits of reusability won’t materialize. This setback underscores just how difficult mastering vertical landing truly is—even for well-resourced national programs. As other nations accelerate reusable rocket development, China’s next attempt will be closely watched for signs of progress toward a more sustainable launch architecture.

Citations

• “NordSpace gets go ahead to proceed with construction for orbital launch complex” – https://spaceq.ca/nordspace-gets-go-ahead-to-proceed-with-construction-for-orbital-launch-complex/
• “Tory Bruno Steps Down as ULA CEO following impressive tenure” – https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/12/tory-bruno-steps-down-ula/
• “Long March 12A reaches orbit in first reusable launch attempt, but landing fails” – https://spacenews.com/long-march-12a-reaches-orbit-in-first-reusable-launch-attempt-but-landing-fails/