Isar Aerospace partners with Maritime Launch Services for orbital launch readiness from Nova Scotia

26 May 2026

Space company Isar Aerospace and Spaceport operator Maritime Launch Services (MLS), have signed a Letter of Intent to advance sovereign orbital launch readiness from Nova Scotia, Canada. The agreement brings together Isar Aerospace’s orbital launch system and MLS’s launch site, Spaceport Nova Scotia, which is strategically located for launches to support reliable access to mid- to high-inclination and polar orbits for Earth observation and communication satellites and constellations, supporting commercial and government missions

“Space access is a prerequisite for every nation’s security and economic resilience,” said Alexandre Dalloneau, Vice President Mission and Launch Operations, Isar Aerospace. “With our unique capability to design, manufacture, and scale launch systems fully in-house – and to build the required ground infrastructure – we are well positioned to enable sovereign access to space – for Canada, Germany, and allied nations. By joining forces with MLS, we are establishing a path to rapid deployment of sovereign launch capability from North American soil.”

“Partnerships are foundational to building launch capability, and we are pleased to work alongside Isar Aerospace as a strategic partner,” said Stephen Matier, President and CEO of Maritime Launch Services. “Together, we are advancing launch infrastructure and capability that will strengthen Canada’s role in the global space economy while helping build reliable, sovereign access to space.”

Through this partnership, Isar Aerospace seeks to expand its launch services to cover mid- to high-inclination orbits for both commercial and government clients. The company's in-house developed launch vehicle ‘Spectrum’ is capable of deploying commercial and defence payloads of up to 1,000 kilograms. Isar Aerospace currently operates its dedicated polar launch site in Andøya, Norway.

MLS offers a fully licensed launch site in Canso, Nova Scotia, where infrastructure development is actively underway for the build-out of Spaceport Nova Scotia. Combined with its advantageous geographic location, the site is positioned to support the orbital trajectories required by a broad range of commercial and defence customers.

The partnership responds to a growing and urgent requirement across NATO and other allies for assured, independent access to space. Both Canada and Germany face increasing pressure to deploy and maintain key satellite constellations without reliance on third-party launch providers, as geopolitical instability continues to reshape national security planning.