Trying to pick the top 5 Canadian space stories in 2025 was not an easy task as it was an incredibly eventful year. And our top story isn’t just one story, but a grouping of stories centred around one theme, space defence.
The top story of 2025: Space Defence
Even before a new Liberal government was elected which would lead to a surge in defence spending including for space, the year started with the launch of the three satellite Grey Jay demonstration constellation which is providing remote surveillance and situational awareness in Canada’s Arctic for the Department of National Defence.
In June Brigadier-General Cook said during a speech at the Space Canada Horizon’s 2025 conference that Canada needs to be prepared for war by 2028-2030.
Also speaking at Space Canada Horizon’s 2025 conference, though remotely was Brigadier-General Horner, Commander of 3 Canadian Space Division and Joint Force Space Component Commander, who outlined Canada’s emerging and needed space defence capabilities.
In delivering the federal budget in November the government announced a significant investment in defence of $81.8 billion over five years including $182.6 million for sovereign space launch capability. This was quickly followed by the $105 million ‘Launch the North’ IDEaS Challenge, a big chunk of the previously announced sovereign space launch capability $182.6 million budget allocation.
Follow our Defence news stories and sign up for coming In Defence of Canada newsletter.
2. The Canadian Space Agency record budget increase
The Canadian Space Agency departmental plan which was released in mid-June included a budget allocation of $834 million, a record for the agency. The increase was fuelled by investments in the Artemis program, notably Canadarm3 and lunar assets like the Lunar Utility Rover. The increase in funding was expected and is part of the big announcement in 2019 that Canada was going to the Moon and was committing $2.05B over 24 years.
3. Closer ties to the European Space Agency with $528.5 in new funding
At the SpaceBound 2025 conference in mid-November industry minister Mélanie Joly announced that Canada was going to support Canadian organizations with $528.5 in new funding to help them work on more programs at the European Space Agency. The funding is meant for “dual-use” technologies, reinforcing our #1 theme of the year, space defence.
4. WildFireSat – Canada invests in an Earth observation satellite constellation for wildfires
In February the then Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault announced that Spire Global had been selected for a $72 million contract to build an initial seven satellites for the WildFireSat constellation. This was an important announcement in part because it is rare that Canada invests in the development of Canadian made satellites.
The contract win was also controversial as Spire Global is a U.S. headquartered company and the trade war the U.S. was underway and the primary sensor was coming from a German company. The company does however have a Canadian office and is increasing its footprint in Canada. But the real controversy was why another bid, an all Canadian bid, was not selected. Canada had invested in a key technology over the years and a consortium of Canadian companies had bid on the project with that technology. Unfortunately for them, there was flaw in their proposal that resulted in Spire Global winning.
5. The Canadian Lunar Utility Rover
In July the Canadian Space Agency selected three companies to do initial technology studies for a Lunar Utility Rover. The companies selected were Canadensys Aerospace, MDA Space and Mission Control who split the $14.6 million in funding allocated for the 18 month studies. This opportunity is huge in showcasing what Canadian technology can do on the Moon and would provide Canada a favourable position going forward as the Moon becomes increasingly important as base for further exploration in the solar system.
Honourable mention – Rogers rolls out its “satellite-to-mobile” service
Getting connectivity in remote locations and even on some stretches of major highways in Canada can be challenging. But with the initial roll-out of of Rogers Satellite, their “satellite-to-mobile” service, consumers is many areas will now have the peace of mind of connectivity in an emergency. Beyond emergency situations, Rogers announced five apps as part of the service with more to come: WhatsApp; Google Maps, AccuWeather, X and CalTopo.
Though Rogers was first, Bell, Telus and their partners are expected to launch similar services in 2026.
The passing of Marc Garneau
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the passing of Marc Garneau.
In his career Marc Garneau was a Navy Captain, an astronaut, a former President of the Canada Space Agency and a parliamentarian. Our tribute to him was written by our associate editor Elizabeth Howell.
