In this, the second edition of the Canadian Spaceport Launch Vehicle Power Rankings, we’ve got good and bad news to share including updates from C6 Launch, Yuzhnoye, Astra Space, a Canada – US Technology Safeguards Agreement and more.
The preamble
Canada does not have a spaceport. So why bother creating a Canadian Spaceport Launch Vehicle Power Rankings? You can read our full reasoning behind the power rankings in our first edition. Suffice it to say, in our opinion it’s just a matter of time before one is built, likely in Nova Scotia.
The Canadian spaceport launch vehicle power rankings
To make this fun, we’re using a sports analogy, power rankings. The rankings will be updated on a regular basis as new information is available. Naturally the power rankings will see launch vehicles move up, down and sometimes drop out altogether. Feel free to comment on the rankings, and if you want to send us your input privately, email us spaceport at spaceq.ca.
The rankings will focus primarily on Canadian and US launch companies at this time as they are the most likely to use the spaceport.
One thing to remember, the spaceport as currently designed, is intended for small and medium launch vehicles. At some point large launch vehicles could be added.
Some notable events to consider
The biggest news since our last ranking is that of the possibility of a Canada – US Technology Safeguards Agreement in the works. We wrote about this possibility two weeks in our article; Is Canada the next Five Eyes nation to sign a Technology Safeguards Agreement with the US?
An agreement between Canada and the US would be significant and pave the way for US payloads to be integrated and launched from a Canadian spaceport including on any future Canadian launch vehicles. At the same time, it would also allow for US launchers to use the spaceport.
Yuzhnoye Cyclone 4M upper stage engine passes final test
Yuzhnoye, which is developing the Cyclone 4M to be used at the Nova Scotia Spaceport that Maritime Launch Services is proposing to build, completed a final test of its liquid propellant RD-861К rocket engine on June 26.
The company released the following statement on July 1;
“These final development tests (3 series of 5 burns each, with total burning time of 1601,6 sec) completed the full cycle of engine ground development test campaign and finalized the confirmation of the performance of the selected design, engine systems and units within the whole range of operating conditions and compliance of the RD-861K basic performance to that specified in the Requirement Specifications.”
“RD-861K is the upper stage rocket engine with a turbo-pump-feed system, with no afterburning of the generator gas and its injection into the nozzle exit. Engine is capable of multiple restarts and pitch and yaw control of the thrust vector in space during payload placement into the task trajectory.”
“This final final and most important ground testing, which proved that RD-861K is fir for flight tests integrated with launcher stage.”
Ok, here’s the second edition of the power rankings.
10 – OmegA, Northrop Grumman (USA)
Ars Technica is reporting that while this rocket will get built, its future depends on being selected by the Air Force for future launches.
The Northrop Grumman OmegA launch vehicle is not in service yet. The first launch is expected in 2021. While listed as an intermediate and heavy class launch vehicle, the intermediate version might be suitable for use at an upgraded Nova Scotia spaceport in 3-5 years after the facility is operational.
9 – Electron, Rocket Lab (USA/New Zealand)
Since our last edition of the power rankings, Rocket Lab had a launch failure on July 4. That failure has highlighted that no matter how good a launch vehicle looks, a failure can still happen. I expect after the investigation concludes and they fix the issue, they’ll be back on track.
They currently launch out of Launch Complex 1, Mahia, New Zealand, and will soon be launching from Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia. They have no plans to launch from Canada, but that could change.
8 – Rocket 1, Launcher Space
Launcher Space is a New York based startup using 3D printed engines. They’re a ways off from launching, but look promising.
In June they announced their avionics team consisting of NASA JPL & SpaceX veterans Kevin Watson and Rich Petras.
7 – C6 Rocket, C6 Launch (Canada)
C6 Launch Services had two significant announcements. They received a follow-on Canadian Space Agency Space Technology Development Program contract to continue the development of their STARS (Space Transmission and Reception System) communication system. We wrote about that development in our article; C6 Launch Services STARS is an innovative radio transceiver and phased array antenna.
The other significant news was the selection of the UK based Shetland Space Centre as its primary launch site. We wrote about that and their business in this article; C6 Launch Systems emerges to talk about its business.
While the company is not planning on launching from Canada at this time, circumstances could see that change.
6 – Terran 1, Relativity Space (USA)
Relativity Space is fascinating company. Their 3D printing and AI technology could have much wider applications than many had previously thought. In our recent article on them, Relativity Space may be printing the future of more than just rocketry, we interviewed co-founder Jordan Noone.
The company recently announced it had signed a contract to launch six satellites for Iridium.
The Terran 1 is a small class launch vehicle that is 3D printed. The company currently has signed on with the Air Force to use Launch Complex 16 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. They’ve also signed Telesat as a customer. It’s not inconceivable that they might one day consider launching from Canada.
5 – SpinLaunch (USA)
There’s been little relevant news from SpinLaunch of late. They are however looking for locations to launch from and Nova Scotia is of interest to them.
SpinLaunch is like no other launch company that we’re aware of. They’ve developed an unusual kinetic launch system that does not rely on chemical rockets. Quoting Wikipedia, “the technology uses a centrifuge to store energy and will then rapidly transfer that energy into a catapult to send a payload to space at up to 4,800 kilometres per hour (3,000 mph).” They’ve raised US$80 million which means some investors believe in them.
4 – Rocket 3.1, Astra Space (USA)
After failing to win the DARPA Launch Challenge, as they ran out of time, and experiencing a failure duding an engine test, the company recently announced they would be launching the next version of their rocket, Rocket 3.1, between August 2nd – 7th from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska on Kodiak Island.
Astra founder and CEO is Chris Kemp someone I met almost 20 years when he was at the NASA Ames Research Center. He went on to become NASA’s Chief Technology Officer and started a few successful ventures. The rest of the Astra team is impressive as well. They’ve launched two suborbital missions from the Alaska Pacific Spaceport Complex. I could possibly see them interested in the Nova Scotia spaceport.
3 – Reaction Dynamics (Canada)
Reaction Dynamics has some important news recently. They were awarded two Canadian Space Agency Space technology Development Program contracts totalling $1.5 million. You can read our article on the awards including a Q&A with the company. Reaction Dynamics receives $1.5 million from Canadian Space Agency for rocket engine development.
This is another company with potential. They are patiently developing a new hybrid rocket engine. I believe they could be the first company to build a Canadian orbital rocket.
2 – Alpha and Beta, Firefly Aerospace (USA)
FireFly in May signed a launch services agreement with Spaceflight Inc. The company is also planning for its first launch, possibly in October from the Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 2-West.
After going bankrupt in 2017 the assets of the company were bought by Noosphere Ventures led by Max Polyakov who was born in the Ukraine but who makes the US his home now. The company has strong ties to the Ukrainian space sector. The company has entered into several launch services agreements this past year, and has a cooperative agreement with Aerojet Rocketdyne. It’s believed they may some interest in the Nova Scotia spaceport.
1 – Cyclone 4M, Yuzhnoye Design Office (Ukraine)
It comes as no surprise that Yuzhnoye remains at the top of the rankings. They are still planning on being the first customer of the proposed spaceport in Nova Scotia. However, the pandemic has brought the development by Maritime Launch Services (MLS) of the spaceport almost to a standstill. Getting investors at this time could be difficult. However, SpaceQ is aware of efforts by MLS to get the process back on track but can’t report on any possible developments at this time.
Here’s the short background on why Yuzhnoye is still number 1 in the rankings. Yuzhnoye funded the study that led to the Canso area location in Nova Scotia being selected for a spaceport. Steve Matier was the writer of that study. He decided after writing the study that he wanted the challenge of making the Nova Scotia spaceport a reality. So he convinced Yuzhnoye to be the customer, and he would, with his partners, build the spaceport under a new company, Maritime Launch Services.