An imager built by Canadensys Aerospace that will be on the Intuitive Machines IM-1 lunar mission
An imager built by Canadensys Aerospace that will be on the Intuitive Machines IM-1 lunar mission. Image credit: Intuitive Machines.

The number of Canadian payloads planned to launch in 2026 is set to surge with SpaceQ currently tracking 39 satellites and sensors from 11 organizations.

Over the last five years SpaceQ has tracked 63 payloads launched. For 2027 we’re already tracking over 180.

* As tracked by SpaceQ. Credit: SpaceQ

All the payloads being tracking for 2026 are commercial except for one and all the satellites are classified as small satellites, those under 500 kg in size with the exception of two Telesat Lightspeed pathfinder satellites.

Credit: SpaceQ

The organizations and payloads

Kepler Communications (Follow)

  • The company has already launched the first 10 satellites of its optical data relay constellation on January 11.

EarthDaily Analytics (Follow)

  • The Earth observation company launched its first satellite in 2025 (EDA-1) and has another nine scheduled for launch in the second half the year.

NorthStar Earth & Space (Follow)

  • In 2024 NorthStar launched the first four SkyLark satellites though not without some issues which led to an ongoing lawsuit against Spire Global. The company is scheduled to launch 8 more upgraded SkyLark satellites this year.
The Blue Ghost 2 full spacecraft stack. Credit: Firefly Aerospace

Canadensys Aerospace (Follow)

  • While we’re tracking three known payloads that could launch in 2026, the company usually does not reveal until just before launch if the mission has one of their payloads. We know there are several payloads either developed or under development that are not publicly listed on any missions yet.
  • The first mission of the year we have for Canadensys is the International Lunar Observatory Association ILO-1 mission. They have developed an instrument suite for the mission. And the ILO-1 mission is scheduled to launch no earlier than July 2025 as part of the Astrobotic’s Griffin-1 mission.
  • The company is also providing a Multispectral Microscope on the Intuitive Machines IM-3 currently scheduled in Q3.
  • Then there is the upcoming Blue Ghost Mission 2 tentatively scheduled for Q4. While we have yet to confirm a payload (camera) is onboard, we believe there is one.
The IM-3 lunar lander has a reported three Canadian payloads onboard. Credit: Intuitive Machines

GHGSat (Follow)

  • The company launched four payloads in 2025 and is set to launch at least another two this year for its methane emissions monitoring constellation. The company also has another two payloads under development that could launch in late 2026 but more likely in 2027.

Telesat (Follow)

  • Telesat confirmed to SpaceQ that is has two Lightspeed pathfinder satellites scheduled for launch in late 2026. This will be followed 153 satellites launched in 2027.

Wyvern (Follow)

  • Wyvern launched two hyperspectral imaging payloads in 2025, Dragonette-004 and Dragonette-005, and will launch another, Dragonette-006, in 2026.

Geometric Energy Corporation (Search)

  • This enigmatic R&D company has been trying for sometime to launch the DOGE-1 CubeSat. The project supported by Elon Musk is purportedly now manifested on Intuitive Machines IM-3 headed to the Moon. Yahoo News reported that “The DOGE-1 mission, planned by Canadian research firm Geometric Energy Corporation and fully funded with Dogecoin, aims to collect lunar data using onboard sensors and cameras. It also intends to broadcast ads and images back to Earth with a miniature screen.”

Volta Space Technologies (Follow)

  • The company has a LightPort Wireless Power Receiver manifested on the Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost Mission 2 tentatively scheduled for Q4. We recently wrote an in-depth feature on their lunar power beaming technology.

Felix & Paul Studios (Search)

  • The Intuitive Machines IM-3 lunar mission has a Felix & Paul Studios payload, presumably a camera, manifested on the mission.

Government of Canada – Canadian Space Agency (Follow)

  • The Canadian Space Agency QEYSSat (Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite) payload is on the Loft Orbital YAM 4 satellite currently manifested for a Q4 launch onboard a SpaceX Transporter Rideshare mission.

Marc Boucher is an entrepreneur, writer, editor, podcaster and publisher. He is the founder of SpaceQ Media. Marc has 30+ years working in various roles in media, space sector not-for-profits, and internet content development.

Marc started his first Internet creator content business in 1992 and hasn't looked back. When not working Marc loves to explore Canada, the world and document nature through his photography.

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