MDA Space has acquired an unspecified ownership stake in Spaceport Nova Scotia satellite-launchpad developer Maritime Launch services for $10 million.

Maritime Launch said MDA purchased equity in the Halifax-based company at a price of $0.223 per share.

The investment marks a key milestone in advancing Canada’s sovereign launch capability and strengthening the domestic space value chain, with complete capability from ground to orbit. The equity investment will accelerate Spaceport Nova Scotia’s readiness for orbital launch operations, providing reliable domestic launch services for commercial, civil, government, and defence clients, said Maritime Launch. MDA expects to become an operational partner at the facility, supporting development and future operations.

“MDA Space’s investment and partnership come at a pivotal moment for Maritime Launch and for Canada’s space future,” said Stephen Matier, president and CEO of Maritime Launch Service. “By combining MDA Space’s world-class technical heritage with our operational focus at Spaceport Nova Scotia, we are creating the conditions our launch vehicle clients need: Reliability, responsiveness, and integration across the full mission campaign. Together, we are building a complete sovereign launch solution that strengthens Canadian innovation, drives economic growth, and enhances security in space.”

Spaceport Nova Scotia is the country’s first commercial orbital-launch complex, located near Canso, N.S., on the Atlantic coast. The site is designed to provide responsive, cost-effective, and sustainable access to low-earth orbit for launch-vehicle developers and satellite-delivery services.

“Maritime Launch has been methodically advancing the development of Spaceport Nova Scotia, focused on doing it right, with safety, community, and operational excellence, to address the needs of the domestic and global space ecosystem,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. “In a rapidly changing space industry, establishing sovereign launch capacity in Canada that will respond to the global demand for alternate launch capabilities on Canada’s Atlantic coast is important. This is an example of strategically located critical infrastructure that is needed. MDA Space is pleased to partner with Maritime Launch on this exciting new chapter for the Canadian space industry.”

Spaceport Nova Scotia is expected to generate economic benefits across Canada through high-quality jobs, local supply-chain development, and global investment attraction.

The transaction includes an investor rights agreement granting MDA Space certain rights, including nominating one board member and pro-rata participation in future financings. The investment will support research and development tied to the spaceport’s ongoing development and will trigger the retirement of convertible debentures.

MDA’s investment comes after Economic Development Canada provided Maritime Launch with a senior $10-million credit facility for the Spaceport Nova Scotia project.

The agreement between between EDC and Maritime Launch provide development funding for the project’s next phase of construction, including launch pad and infrastructure.

Brampton, Ont.-based MDA Space was formerly known as Macdonald Dettwiler and Associates before rebranding. The 55-year-old global giant is a robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence pioneer as well as an international leader in communications satellites, earth and space observation, and space exploration and infrastructure.

Pictured: Future satellite launch pad near in Canso, N.S.

Rendering: Maritime Launch Services