Rocket Report: Canada makes a major move, US Space Force says actually, let's be hasty

Ars Technica
March 20, 2026
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1 min read

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Canada invests $200 million in a Nova Scotia spaceport, while the US Department of Defense contracts Rocket Lab for hypersonic tests.

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Canada's leading minister of national defense, David J. McGuinty, announced a $200 million investment on Monday for "core infrastructure" at a spaceport in Nova Scotia. This 10-year agreement will lease a dedicated space-launch pad near Canso, Nova Scotia, operated by Maritime Launch Services, to foster launch independence. McGuinty cited "a more complex and unpredictable security environment" as a reason, adding that Canada also awarded $8.3 million each to NordSpace, Canada Rocket Company, and Reaction Dynamics. Separately, Rocket Lab signed a $190 million contract on Wednesday for a block buy of 20 hypersonic test flights using its Haste launch vehicle for the US Department of Defense.

What's Being Done

Canada is investing in space launch infrastructure; US DoD is contracting for hypersonic test flights.

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