Space startups in Canada
The directory tracks 7 space companies in Canada. They work on communications & connectivity, Earth observation, biosphere, launch and more.
Updated 9 October 2026 · 7 milestones in the last 90 days · Follow by RSS
Where things stand
As of 9 October 2026
Kepler Communications declared its optical data relay network in commercial service in August 2026, after launching 33 satellites. GHGSat measures greenhouse gas emissions from orbit and launched four more satellites in 2025. QEYNet has Canadian Space Agency funding to demonstrate quantum key distribution between the ground and space.
Maritime Launch Services, listed in Canada since 2022, launched the first rocket from Spaceport Nova Scotia in July 2023. In July 2026 Isar Aerospace signed a ten-year deal for a Spectrum complex there. Leap Biosystems trained Mark Pathy and integrated his payloads for Ax-1 in 2022, the first all-private astronaut mission to the ISS. SpaceHabs Studios, a Calgary studio founded in 2025, is making Ares Inception, a Mars mission simulator due in late 2027.
Latest milestones
Every dated event from the companies below, newest first, each with its source.
Maritime Launch Services: Galaxia will develop and supply an autonomous flight safety system for Spaceport Nova Scotia
GHGSat: Two more methane-monitoring satellites launch on SpaceX's Transporter-18GHGSat: Unveils its second-generation satellite, which will detect methane emissions down to 50 kg/hr and is planned to reach orbit in early 2028
Kepler Communications: Books launch capacity for ten Tranche-2 relay satellites on Portal’s Motus Via Sol Falcon 9 mission, targeted for mid-2028Maritime Launch Services: Finalizes the statement of work and milestones with Isar Aerospace under their facilities usage agreementKepler Communications: Signs agreements with NorthStar to carry its space-domain-awareness data over Kepler’s optical relay networkKepler Communications: Declares its optical data relay network in commercial service after launching 33 satellites; it runs more than ten optical ground stationsMaritime Launch Services: Isar Aerospace signs a ten-year deal for a Spectrum complexMaritime Launch Services: Barracuda flight ends in an anomaly late in the boost phase
SpaceHabs Studios: Ares Inception is announced with a public Steam listing, targeting a Q4 2027 releaseShow 17 earlier milestones
Maritime Launch Services: Canada leases a defence pad for $200 million over ten yearsMaritime Launch Services: Second suborbital demonstration flies a T-Minus BarracudaMaritime Launch Services: MDA Space invests $10 million and becomes an equity ownerGHGSat: Launches Teodor and Laila on Transporter-15, timed to coincide with COP30SpaceHabs Studios: Spacehabs Studios Inc. incorporates in Calgary as an Alberta corporationGHGSat: Two more satellites launch on Transporter-14, giving daily methane coverage of industrial regions
QEYNet: Canadian Space Agency contributes over CA$1.4M for an Earth-to-space quantum key distribution demonstrationQEYNet: Canadian Space Agency awards CA$439,000 to adapt its quantum transmitter for space-based key distributionGHGSat: Closes a C$59.9M Series C1 of equity and debt with Fonds de solidarité FTQ and BDC CapitalMaritime Launch Services: First rocket launched from Spaceport Nova ScotiaGHGSat: Launches three methane-monitoring satellites on Transporter-7
SkyWatch: Sidus Space signs on to distribute its constellation data through the TerraStream platformMaritime Launch Services: Shares begin trading on the NEO Exchange as MAXQ
Leap Biosystems: Serves as payload integrator and trainer for Mark Pathy's Ax-1 missionSkyWatch: Raises a $17.2M Series B led by Drive CapitalSkyWatch: Raises a $7.5M Series A led by Bullpen CapitalLeap Biosystems: Dave Williams, physician and two-flight shuttle astronaut, becomes president and CEOAll 7 companies
Companies still operating first, then by latest news.
Maritime Launch Services GraduatedCommercial spaceport
GHGSat Monitoring greenhouse gases
Kepler Communications High-bandwidth data and IoT
SpaceHabs Studios A Mars mission simulator from mission control
QEYNet Microsatellite quantum key network
SkyWatch Earth observation data
Leap Biosystems Space medicine technology
How many space startups are there in Canada?
Space Bandits tracks 7 space companies in Canada. Of those, 6 are active startups, and 1 has grown past the startup stage.
What do space startups in Canada work on?
The biggest groups are communications & connectivity (2), Earth observation (2) and biosphere (1), out of 5 sectors in all.
What is the latest news from space startups in Canada?
The most recent milestone on record is from Maritime Launch Services, dated 7 October 2026: "Galaxia will develop and supply an autonomous flight safety system for Spaceport Nova Scotia."
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