How SpaceX rocket bookings halt is a ‘huge problem’ for Canadian satellite firms

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has reportedly stopped accepting launch bookings from Canadian companies. The reported cutoff concerns Falcon 9 missions beyond 2028, as the company prepares to shift towards its larger Starship rocket. For Canadian satellite companies seeking investment to expand, the uncertainty is said to be prompting investors to question how their planned satellites will reach orbit. Kepler CEO Mina Mitry warned that reduced access to shared rocket launches could make it harder for smaller companies to launch experimental satellites. “That’s a huge problem for the industry,” he told The Logic. Canada’s own rocket developers remain years away from offering the launch capacity needed to deploy large satellite networks.

At the SpaceBound conference in Gatineau, Quebec, Kristen Cote, chief technology officer of Edmonton-based Earth-observation company Wyvern, said launch access had become a question during fundraising discussions. “I think this is the first time where we’ve had serious questions from investors about, ‘You have all these plans—that’s great. How are you going to launch all these satellites?’” Cote said. Canada has companies developing rockets and launch sites, but the report said none had yet launched anything into orbit. The Canadian government’s Launch the North competition is providing $25 million in incentives to three companies, prioritising smaller rockets. Those vehicles could carry only a limited number of satellites. They wouldn't offer the same capacity as Falcon 9 for deploying large satellite networks.

One of Canada’s major satellite providers, Telesat, has booked SpaceX launches for its 225-satellite Lightspeed communications network before the anticipated Falcon 9 phaseout, according to the report. Those arrangements depend on the satellites being ready on schedule. CEO Dan Goldberg said Telesat needs a provider that can carry many satellites, launch frequently, and keep prices competitive. “For us to be competitive, all of our cost inputs need to be world-class competitive,” Goldberg said. Launches are expected to account for about 20 per cent of Lightspeed’s budget, or roughly US$1 billion. That makes the price of an alternative provider a substantial consideration.

Maritime Launch Services’ site near Canso, Nova Scotia, has approvals for medium-lift rockets, according to CEO Stephen Matier. However, the company is not currently preparing for those launches. “I’ve got the designs already for the facility and flame trenches and buildings and everything else,” he said. “We could start construction tomorrow. I just need a rocket to put there.” Canada Rocket Company is developing a medium-lift vehicle. CEO Hugh Kolias estimated that preparing a new rocket for orbit takes six to eight years and costs about $1 billion. He said the company was targeting the shorter end of that timeline but wouldn't be ready by 2028.