July 7, 2026
NATO Innovation Fund portfolio company Isar signs contract with Maritime Launch Services to advance orbital launch capability from Canada
As government and industry leaders from across the Alliance come together for the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum (NSDIF) in Ankara, Türkiye, Isar Aerospace and spaceport operator Maritime Launch Services signed a contract to develop a dedicated launch complex for Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum launch vehicle at Spaceport Nova Scotia near Canso, Canada.
The agreement, signed by Daniel Metzler, Chief Executive Officer of Isar Aerospace, and Stephen Matier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maritime Launch Services, marks a decisive step toward advancing Canada’s sovereign access to space and extending Isar Aerospace’s end-to-end launch capability globally. It also demonstrates how NATO Innovation Fund portfolio companies help Allied countries access in-demand breakthrough technologies that strengthen their resilience and meet pressing defence needs.
“We are excited to partner with Maritime Launch Services and launch Spectrum from Spaceport Nova Scotia. Together, we have moved from intention to execution at the pace global demand for space access requires. While every nation needs data from space, almost no nation has the end-to-end capability to access it independently. This makes launch capacity one of the most consequential bottlenecks in defence and intelligence today, and we are here to close it. Canada is the next step in our roadmap to bring full end-to-end launch capability to sovereign nations – and we are proud to be doing it here in, and together with, Canada.”
Build-out is planned to begin in 2026, with first orbital launches targeted for 2028. The launch site will be designed to support frequent launches, with the potential for Spaceport Nova Scotia to offer additional capacity for future expansion. To anchor its North American presence, Isar Aerospace has established a dedicated Canadian entity, Isar Aerospace Canada Inc.
Spaceport Nova Scotia’s geographic position makes it one of the most strategically valuable launch sites in the Western Hemisphere, providing safe over-ocean launch trajectories and access to mid- to high-inclination and polar orbits that support Earth observation, communications, and defence missions for government and commercial operators alike. Launch operations by Isar Aerospace are expected to begin ramping up in 2028, with the potential to support up to 40 launches annually by 2029.
Spaceport Nova Scotia is Canada’s first licensed commercial orbital launch site and is designed as a multi-user spaceport supporting multiple launch providers and customers. Located on Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coast, the site offers strategic access to key orbital inclinations while strengthening Canada’s sovereign space capabilities and supporting allied access to space.
“Isar is building critical space technology to secure our collective future. The commercial and operational traction it is achieving is proof that rapid innovation at scale is not just an aspiration, but a reality across NATO.”
Related articles
February 10, 2026
July 7, 2026
June 25, 2026
June 12, 2026
