Maritime Launch Services (MLS) has just concluded the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for Spaceport Nova Scotia. The spaceport, when completed, would be Canada’s first active launch site in decades, its only current orbital launch site, and one of the few commercial launch sites in the world. This PDR is an important step in making that happen.
The completed review was for MLS’ “Space Launch System (SLS).” While that would seem at first glance to refer to the Ukrainian Cyclone 4M designed and developed by the Yuzhnoye Design Office and Yuzhmash, MLS President and CEO Stephen Matier said in an interview with SpaceQ that it refers to the entire facility. The PDR is for “the integration facility, processing facility area, the launch pad area, the launch control centre, all the aspects of transportation and supply of material propellants…every aspect of the project is wrapped up in the term.””
So instead of just a review of the launch vehicles and their systems, the PDR was actually a comprehensive review of everything that will need to be done with to be able to launch from Nova Scotia.
The PDR and the process
None of the people that SpaceQ spoke with were able to speak in detail about the contents of the design review due to security issues. Matier was able to say, however, that it was broken down into a number of parts: one section (for example) focused on general facility layout relative to the launch pad, while another focused on the specifics of things like the flame trench, the transporter erector, the layout of the propellant systems, and what goes into the processing facility for a medium-class launch vehicle. Other parts that needed to be addressed included data acquisition systems and “general topics for the launch control centre.”
Matier said, however, that this review was more like the middle of the process, rather than “preliminary.” The actual beginning of the process was when Yuzhnoye and Yuzhmash provided them detailed information on everything that would be needed for the launch of the Cyclone 4M, from how to handle propellants to the sorts of protections needed for the launch site. As they have decades of experience in the matter and would be partnering with MLS on the Cyclone launches, their requirements were the foundation of the whole enterprise.
One example that Matier gave of Yuzhnoye’s approach that they needed to accommodate, was on automated launch. Yushnoya’s documents specified that they rely on automated processes when they begin the final preparations for launch. Everything is done remotely, he said: “remote servicing, remote tip up of the vehicle, remote filling in the propellants [and gasses]…all the way up through launch is basically an automated system.”
That has dramatic implications for the SLS design. Every switch and valve will need to be operated remotely from the launch control centre. That was another key focus of the PDR, and fulfilling these kinds of requirements is one of MLS’ most important challenges.
Coordination of roles
From there, MLS has been coordinating a number of Canadian and international firms in order to adapt these guidelines to Spaceport Nova Scotia. MLS has been working with their designers to sort out “the overall inner workings of the SLS…we take this input from [Yuzhnoye] and turn it into Canadian rules, regulations, specifications, building codes, explosive siting, propellant storage…all those kinds of pieces.”
A number of different companies are working with MLS on the Spaceport. Some roles are relatively fixed: Matier said that Stantec will be handling most of the facilities design, but the launch control complex will be designed by Architecture 49. Part of this review was a “a formal handoff of the baton [to these firms]…for finalizing facility layout.” They’ll be taking Yuzhnoye’s designs for elements like the high bay, processing facility, and servicing area for propellant loading, looking at the requirements, and then adapting them to suit the Canadian climate and the particular challenges of the Spaceport Nova Scotia project.
Matier also said that DesignPoint was also involved in the design process, and said that the three companies would be working with Lindsay Construction, the construction manager, on facilities and infrastructure. They’ll be joined by Nova Construction, which will be focused on civil construction and civil engineering on the site. Matier said that “they’ve got the expertise on how to build it in Canada.”
The roles of The Launch Company (TLC) and Sierra Lobo, however, are still somewhat in flux. They won’t be working on building the facilities, but on the specialized equipment that will help make the launch happen. Matier said that both firms “bring key expertise in design, manufacture, testing and delivery of specialty support equipment,” including things like “liquid oxygen systems, RP-1 systems, helium, nitrogen, UTM” and the like, and have a number of American successes under their belt.
The Launch Company: Waiting on a role decision, but confident in the project
Ben Kellie, Founder and CEO at The Launch Company told SpaceQ that they are experienced in working with everything from “high altitude balloon companies…all the way up to big orbital launch vehicles.” They can provide “ground support equipment” including the ones mentioned by Matier, but could also assist with creating operations procedures, creating automated scripts based on those procedures, and even assist with operations if need be.
(While SpaceQ didn’t have the opportunity to speak with Sierra Lobo, Matier said that they were particularly experienced in “transporter erector design and manufacture.”)
At the moment, however, neither Kellie nor Matier knows what the division of labor is going to be. TLC stands willing and able, but is waiting on MLS to decide on what their role will be. Matier made it clear that both companies will be involved, but that one of MLS’ most important coordination tasks is sorting out which of these companies are doing what, and that the process of making that decision is still ongoing.
Nevertheless, Kellie was confident in MLS’s overall process. He said that he “was really, really impressed with the way things proceeded” regarding “the environmental-specific and location-specific questions and considerations that were brought up.” He added that he “didn’t see any showstoppers or causes for major concern, and was impressed with how considered everything was,” and that he was “really certain that the critical design review (CDR) is going to be smooth and go well.”
In particular, he was impressed by MLS’ willingness to both announce and highlight their partners in the project, including encouraging media availability to their partners.
He said that the main thing that made MLS different is “they are working to establish this commercial spaceport entirely on their own, bring in all the right partners, get everybody working together, and then bring in multiple launch vehicle providers…it’s been really great to get a chance to work with the spaceport from the get go.” While TLC is not currently slated to be working on the launches of Reaction Dynamics’ upcoming “Aurora” small satellite launch vehicle at MLS, he said that they’d be more than happy to get involved. He said they’re also looking forward to working with the Cyclone 4M, calling it “a very elegant vehicle.”
So while their role may not be established yet, they’re looking forward to going forward with whatever role they’re assigned. He also said that TLC will be working with local and Canadian vendors and contractors as much as is possible.
Timeline going forward
Matier also talked about what’s coming now that the PDR is concluded.
“We’re looking at starting construction imminently,” he said, “we’ve actually got the initial road in, and we’re turning it into a construction road that will get us access” to the site. That will allow them to be able to support the phase one launch of Reaction Dynamics’ Aurora rocket, which will start with a suborbital demonstration launch next year. As that’s taking place, they’re aiming to “complete as much of this design process as possible.” They expect to “get all the initial roads in within the remaining year [and] get all the design done, prepping for a release of construction documents to tender early next year.”
Matier anticipates a parallel process. Their local partners will work on building the facilities, while TLC and Sierra Lobo handle manufacturing offsite. He gave the example of how “you could build a transporter erector over in a warehouse somewhere else and deliver it, you could build a propellant system panel in another area and bring it in to install it…those companies will be communicating with each other.” Then these elements will be integrated sometime next year.
Assuming that all goes well, Spaceport Nova Scotia’s “Space Launch System” would expect to start launching the Cyclone-4M in early 2024.
Funding
Another aspect of MLS’s plans is the ongoing need to raise funds. While there hasn’t been much new on that front recently, it should be expected that MLS will need to make an announcement on funding in the near term if it hopes to get beyond Phase One of its plans which includes the launch attempt next year by Reaction Dynamics.
Today MLS announced that it was now listed on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol MAXQF.
In the press release Matier said “We look forward to broadening our investor base and engaging with US investors on the opportunity Spaceport Nova Scotia provides the global space industry. Commercial launch services from Canada will strengthen North America’s position as a global leader in low earth orbit satellite communications. We will offer launch services to the global and US marketplace, fueling new growth and attracting investment. While all other ranges in the United States are owned and operated by government, Spaceport Nova Scotia will be the first, pure-play commercial spaceport on the continent.”