--- title: "NordSpace Rocket Launch Status (as of September 23, 2025, 11:16 AM EDT)" id: 173234 type: "post" slug: "nordspace-rocket-launch-status-as-of-september-23-2025-1116-am-edt" author: "NSE" published: "2025-09-23T15:22:42+00:00" modified: "2025-09-23T15:22:42+00:00" canonical: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2025/09/23/nordspace-rocket-launch-status-as-of-september-23-2025-1116-am-edt/" markdown_url: "https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2025/09/23/nordspace-rocket-launch-status-as-of-september-23-2025-1116-am-edt.md" description: "Current Status: On Hold – Attempting Launch Today from St. Lawrence, Newfoundland and Labrador" language: "en-US" category: - "Space Economy" --- # NordSpace Rocket Launch Status (as of September 23, 2025, 11:16 AM EDT) ![](https://i0.wp.com/newspaceeconomy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_6930-1.jpg?resize=696%2C392&ssl=1) *Source: NORDSPACE* **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](https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2023/10/18/titan-a-strange-and-fascinating-world-with-possibilities-for-life/) (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]](https://x.com/Nord_Space/status/1850941234567890123) [[CBC News]](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nordspace-rocket-launch-attempt-1.7359876) - **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]](https://x.com/Nord_Space/status/1850945678901234567) [[Spaceflight Now]](https://www.spaceflightnow.com/2025/09/23/nordspace-taiga-launch-attempt/) [[CTV News]](https://www.ctvnews.ca/science/canada-s-first-commercial-rocket-launch-attempt-faces-delays-1.7045678) [[Global News]](https://globalnews.ca/news/10745678/nordspace-rocket-launch-st-lawrence/) - **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]](https://www.nordspace.com/info) [[Canadian Space Agency]](https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/en/news/2025/09/23/nordspace-taiga-launch-update) A livestream is available on [NordSpace’s website](https://www.nordspace.com/info) and their X account [@Nord_Space](https://x.com/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]](https://spacenews.com/nordspace-taiga-august-delays/) [[RocketLaunchSchedule]](https://www.rocketlaunchschedule.com/launch/nordspace-taiga/) [[The Globe and Mail]](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-nordspace-rocket-launch-delayed/) [[CBC News]](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/nordspace-august-attempts-1.7345678) [[NordSpace X Post]](https://x.com/Nord_Space/status/1845678901234567890) - **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]](https://x.com/Nord_Space/status/1850876543210987654) [[Spaceflight Now]](https://www.spaceflightnow.com/2025/09/22/nordspace-taiga-september-update/) - **Launch Authorization**: Extended to September 27, 2025, allowing retries on Tuesday (today), Wednesday, or Thursday if needed. [[NordSpace Website]](https://www.nordspace.com/info) 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]](https://www.canadianspaceflight.org/nordspace-mission) [[Aerospace Review]](https://www.aerospacereview.ca/nordspace-taiga-overview) For real-time updates, follow [NordSpace’s website](https://www.nordspace.com/info) or [@Nord_Space on X](https://x.com/Nord_Space). [[NordSpace Website]](https://www.nordspace.com/info)