Justin Trudeau hints at boosting Canada’s military spending

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[ytz]

100%. We already have the industry to produce satellites and related technologies. What we need is independent launch capability. There appears to be Canadian companies developing options like RDX or maybe we could partner with an existing launch company to establish a facility here?

Idea was floated for a "Space Port" in Cape Breton. Never seemed to gain traction tho'. Any new info?

There's not much of a business case for a fully independent launch capability. There's no cost advantage launching from Nova Scotia. And while an argument can be made for a sovereign capability, we would need a whole pipeline of GOGO or GOCO that could sustain the launch capability. That requires serious funding. Not impossible. But not a current reality. Our mil space community would be absolutely happy to get that kind of growth.

 

[suffolkowner]

Isnt it better to launch closer to the equator? We need a southern colony, maybe Haiti?

 

[GR66]

There's not much of a business case for a fully independent launch capability. There's no cost advantage launching from Nova Scotia. And while an argument can be made for a sovereign capability, we would need a whole pipeline of GOGO or GOCO that could sustain the launch capability. That requires serious funding. Not impossible. But not a current reality. Our mil space community would be absolutely happy to get that kind of growth.

The NS option isn't looking great due to the US involvement

A new agreement between Canada and the United States is reigniting the possibility of a spaceport in rural Nova Scotia.

Federal cabinet minister and Nova Scotia MP Sean Fraser announced in Halifax Friday that the two countries have negotiated a Technology Safeguards Agreement, which would allow the use of U.S. space launch technology, expertise and data for space launches in Canada.

A domestic launch system like Reaction Dynamics that can handle relatively low cost, small capacity launches would be extremely useful for the small cube-type satellites that are increasingly common and extremely useful for communications constellations.

From their website:

Founded in 2017, Reaction Dynamics (RDX) has pioneered the next-generation of hybrid propulsion technology, solving a 90-year-old challenge in rocket propulsion.

With a patented hybrid rocket engine design featuring a low part count and simplified production process, we are driving down costs, reducing the carbon footprint of space launches, all while increasing reliability and performance.

Our solutions are built entirely in Canada, making us one of the few ITAR-free rocket providers.

For larger satellites we'd likely have to look to commercial launch companies.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

Yes, near equator launches are more efficient for geostationary satellites. Last I checked, Arianne rockets with launches from French Guyana are still a commercial option.

 

[lenaitch]

so St. Thomas would work nicely

Greenfield perhaps, but the old Ford plant property has been sold. If you are going to greenfield, then pretty well anywhere that has road and rail could work. Alliston was a sleepy farm town until Honda showed up.

 

[YZT580]

Isnt it better to launch closer to the equator? We need a southern colony, maybe Haiti?

The Turks and Caicos In Haiti your entire base would be stolen before it was even off the truck

 

[YZT580]

There's not much of a business case for a fully independent launch capability. There's no cost advantage launching from Nova Scotia. And while an argument can be made for a sovereign capability, we would need a whole pipeline of GOGO or GOCO that could sustain the launch capability. That requires serious funding. Not impossible. But not a current reality. Our mil space community would be absolutely happy to get that kind of growth.

We had a launch facility in Manitoba once upon a time

 

[ytz]

Yes, near equator launches are more efficient for geostationary satellites. Last I checked, Arianne rockets with launches from French Guyana are still a commercial option.

DND has used ESA, SpaceX, Boeing and ISRO. We use whatever is cost effective and matches requirements and schedules.

 

[ytz]

A domestic launch system like Reaction Dynamics that can handle relatively low cost, small capacity launches would be extremely useful for the small cube-type satellites that are increasingly common and extremely useful for communications constellations.

We (the CAF) don't currently use Cubesats. And like I said earlier, if we're going down that road, it requires real investment. Not just a desire to randomly launch more space junk.

The government's first commercial priority should be Telesat's Lightspeed. There's a whole pile of strategic implications that those outside space don't understand.

1) MDA is building a production line that will continuously pump out satellites for Telesat. This is the first time, Canada will have the ability to reconstitute in Space.

2) MDA is building the satellite buses with extra room. In theory, this allow the government to buy extra payloads on there too allow other capabilities (SIGINT, Missile Warning, surveillance of space, etc). It's a question on how willing the government is to spend.

3) Telesat has chosen an altitude that is above Space X. This has some downsides on the comms business. But it has real value for certain military applications.

4) Constellations create shells which has control implications. A constellation at a given altitude increases conjunction risk. This means that nobody else can then launch through your altitude without risking collision. Everyone has to tell you when and where they will go through. That information is valuable.

CAF Space actually does understand the value of Canada's geography and capabilities in space. Given enough money, we could do a lot more. I hope we start looking at offensive capabilities soon.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Isnt it better to launch closer to the equator? We need a southern colony, maybe Haiti?

The latitude of your launch site pretty much dictates your orbital inclination.

Most Canadian launch sites would give relatively high inclination orbits, useful for polar work but not great for geosynchronous work.

 

[childs56]

Isnt it better to launch closer to the equator? We need a southern colony, maybe Haiti?

Belize.
Canada should offer Belize a deal to join us and turn them into a Colony and help support them

 

[Maxman1]

Turks & Caicos has made noise about that in the past.