Canada-based MDA Space is making a modest C$10 million (€6.1m) investment in Maritime Launch Services (MLS) as a precursor to becoming an equity owner and strategic partner in MLS.

MDA makes satellites and key technology such as the robotic ‘Canada Arm’ used on past Space Shuttles and at the International Space Station. MLS has a spaceport in Nova Scotia, on Canada’s East coast.

“The MDA Space investment in Maritime Launch Services marks a key milestone in advancing Canada’s sovereign launch capability, strengthening the country’s domestic space value chain, with complete capability from ground to orbit,” said MDA. “The equity investment will accelerate Spaceport Nova Scotia’s readiness for orbital launch operations, providing reliable domestic launch capability for commercial, civil, government, and defence clients in Canada. MDA Space expects to become an operational partner at Spaceport Nova Scotia, supporting the development and future operations of the spaceport.”

“MDA Space’s investment and partnership come at a pivotal moment for Maritime Launch and for Canada’s space future,” commented Stephen Matier, President and CEO of Maritime Launch Services. “By combining MDA Space’s world-class technical heritage with our operational focus at Spaceport Nova Scotia, we are creating the conditions our launch vehicle clients need: reliability, responsiveness, and integration across the full mission campaign. Together, we are building a complete sovereign launch solution that strengthens Canadian innovation, drives economic growth, and enhances security in space.”

Maritime Launch is a Canadian-owned commercial space company that is developing Spaceport Nova Scotia, Canada’s first commercial orbital launch complex. Located near Canso, Nova Scotia, on the Atlantic coast, Spaceport Nova Scotia says it is designed to provide responsive, cost-effective, and sustainable access to space for launch vehicle developers and satellite delivery services to low-Earth orbit over a wide range of inclinations from a single site.

The transaction includes an Investor Rights Agreement, entered into between MDA Space and Maritime Launch, providing MDA Space with certain rights, including the right to nominate one individual to sit on the board of Maritime Launch and pro-rata participatory rights in future financings of the Spaceport. The investment will be used for applicable research and development initiatives relating to the ongoing development of Spaceport Nova Scotia and will trigger the retirement of convertible debentures.

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