High Times in the Maritimes

The Arbalest Rocketry team of Ontario, Canada’s York University executed a sub-orbital launch at a Canso, Nova Scotia facility currently being constructed by Maritime Launch Services Inc. Upon its completion, the installation will function as Canada’s first commercial spaceport.

Originally planned for 05 July, the launch was to have been conducted before an august assemblage of invitees which included local, provincial, and Canadian federal officials, as well as Indigenous leaders and students from the Nova Scotia region. Regrettably, poor weather forced the postponement of the launch attempt until 06 July.

Undaunted by the delay, the Arbalest team launched its high-powered rocket, dubbed Goose-3, from the Spaceport Nova Scotia launchpad.

Arbalest Rocketry team lead Andreas Tryphonopoulos stated: “Today’s accomplishment is the result of an enormous amount of work, research, preparation, and commitment, and I am so proud of everyone involved. It is an honor to have the opportunity to come to Nova Scotia and launch from Spaceport Nova Scotia.”

Mr. Tryphonopoulos added: “Of course we are disappointed that the launch couldn’t happen yesterday in front of many young students and future potential Canadian rocketry professionals, however given the excitement we saw on site yesterday, I am confident that there is a very bright future for Canada in the global space industry.”

The Goose-3 launch was facilitated by Launch Canada, an industry-partnered grassroots rocketry initiative founded to support and advance the science, engineering, and business of rocketry and space launch in Canada. The organization seeks to leverage rocketry’s inherent excitement for purpose of fostering interest in the STEM disciplines among Canadian students. Launch Canada’s literature asserts: “We seek to unite Canadian academia, industry, and government to help unlock students’ full innovative potential and expand international space community collaboration.”

Launch Canada president Adam Trumpour set forth: “Today’s launch event is proof positive that Canada is actively developing highly-skilled and talented aerospace professionals. Having access to a world-class launch location and infrastructure right here at home will help keep this wealth of talent in Canada and drive our country’s success in the global space race.”

Maritime Launch Services CEO Stephen Matier remarked: “We’ve always maintained that while we are building a commercial spaceport to serve global market demand, it is critical that this facility also serve aspiring Canadian space industry members as a place of learning and innovation.”

Mr. Matier concluded: “It is only fitting that the first launch vehicle to takeoff from Spaceport Nova Scotia is domestically designed and launched by students from the Arbalest Rocketry team.”

FMI: www.launchcanada.org