NordSpace Rocket Launch Status (as of September 23, 2025, 11:16 AM EDT)

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Current Status: On Hold – Attempting Launch Today from St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador

NordSpace, a Canadian aerospace company, is preparing for the suborbital test flight of its Taiga rocket, marking Canada’s first commercial rocket launch. The 6-meter (17-foot) Taiga, powered by a 3D-printed Hadfield engine, is a precursor to NordSpace’s orbital vehicles, Tundra (500 kg to LEO) and Titan (5,000 kg to LEO). The launch is set for the Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) in St. Lawrence, N.L., optimized for polar-to-equatorial orbits.

Today’s Developments

• Morning Attempt (06:30–12:00 NDT Window): Launch preparations reached T-30 seconds but were paused due to a small fire and smoke near the rocket’s base, likely from residual propellant. The pad is secure, and the vehicle is safe, with teams working to resolve the issue for a retry. [NordSpace X Post] [CBC News]
• Subsequent Hold: A fishing vessel entered the restricted maritime zone, causing another delay. NordSpace is awaiting clearance to resume pressurization and final preparations. [NordSpace X Post] [Spaceflight Now] [CTV News] [Global News]
• Afternoon Window (15:00–19:00 NDT): Conditions are nominal, with wind speeds (must be under 30 km/h per Canadian regulations) being monitored. An update is expected around 10:00 NDT, with liftoff possible on short notice (within 3 hours). [NordSpace Website] [Canadian Space Agency]

A livestream is available on NordSpace’s website and their X account @Nord_Space, starting around 06:30 NDT (with potential resumption for the afternoon). Spectators must follow NOTAMs, NAVWARNS, and safety guidelines.

Recent History and Delays

• August 2025: Scrubs due to weather (e.g., Hurricane Erin winds), a nitrogen tank issue, a generator trip, and a near-miss ignition failure (halted at T-58 seconds). [SpaceNews] [RocketLaunchSchedule] [The Globe and Mail] [CBC News] [NordSpace X Post]
• September 22, 2025 (Monday): High-probability day but no launch due to 30% chance of unfavorable afternoon weather. Rocket remained in ready state overnight. [NordSpace X Post] [Spaceflight Now]
• Launch Authorization: Extended to September 27, 2025, allowing retries on Tuesday (today), Wednesday, or Thursday if needed. [NordSpace Website]

NordSpace CEO Rahul Goel emphasized the iterative nature of rocket launches, stating the team is “ready to execute on short notice.” The mission carries payloads like a Zephyr-EP thruster and Chronos edge-AI camera.

Broader Context

This launch is a milestone for Canada’s space sector, building on suborbital programs like Black Brant toward sovereign orbital capabilities. NordSpace’s vertical integration aims for low-cost (~$10,000/kg to LEO), sustainable access using JetA/SAF fuels. [Canadian Spaceflight Association] [Aerospace Review]

For real-time updates, follow NordSpace’s website or @Nord_Space on X. [NordSpace Website]

Last update on 2025-12-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API