As Canada moves to domesticate its high-tech military supply chain, a satellite manufacturing and operations startup is being positioned as part of the vanguard of the nation’s sovereign space capabilities.
Galaxia Mission Systems, the lone space-sector representative among nine Nova Scotia firms receiving a combined $4 million from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), has secured $218,750 as a repayable contribution (loan) to scale its Halifax operations.
The investment, announced on February 19, marks one of the first applications of the federal government’s newly minted Defence Industrial Strategy, which designates “Space” as one of ten critical pillars where Canada must prioritize building at home over buying from abroad.
The announcement was made in Dartmouth by Sean Fraser, Minister responsible for ACOA. The funding is delivered through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), a $379.2 million national program (with $38.2 million specifically allocated to Atlantic Canada over three years).
This ACOA funding follows a major $2.5 million contract Galaxia secured in late 2025 from Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to build the Canadian Tactical Operations Satellite (CTOS).
In a new release, Minister Sean Fraser said, “Good jobs here at home and Nova Scotia helping build the future of Canada’s Armed Forces. That is the real impact of this $4 million investment, creating 24 skilled jobs across our province. We could not be prouder of the role Nova Scotia is playing in strengthening Canada’s defence capabilities. Through Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, local companies are growing, innovating, and building more of what Canada needs at home to stay secure, sovereign, and economically strong.”
Arad Gharagozli, CEO of Galaxia added, “Canada’s sovereignty in space depends on our ability to build and operate critical systems here at home. We are proud to be recognized as a priority investment and grateful for the Government of Canada’s support. We are building faster than ever, scaling Canadian talent, advancing our mission platforms, and strengthening the foundation for a secure and sovereign future in orbit.”