Nordspace signs $20-million, 10-year deal with National Defence for rocket launch pad in Newfoundland Nordspace has signed a $20-million contract giving the Department of National Defence priority access to a dedicated launch pad at its Atlantic Spaceport Complex in St. Lawrence, N.L., part of $3 billion in federal space investments this year. Nordspace has signed a $20-million contract with the Department of National Defence that gives the federal department priority access to a dedicated launch pad at its Atlantic Spaceport Complex. The agreement runs for 10 years, the company said in a news release dated Wednesday. The spaceport is under construction on Newfoundland's Burin Peninsula, near the town of St. Lawrence, N.L. , which has about 1,115 residents and sits on the peninsula's southeastern edge. According to Nordspace, the money covers the cost of maintaining the facility and keeping it ready for launches.Nordspace Phase Two Construction UnderwayIndividual launch missions will be carried out through separate contracts. The company announced last week that it was entering the second phase of construction of the spaceport in St. Lawrence. The project has been presented as a step toward launching payloads from Canadian soil. A Nordspace satellite named Terra Nova was launched into orbit earlier this month aboard a SpaceX rocket.The rocket took off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on the coast of California."A sovereign spacefaring Canada must be able to launch payloads into orbit from its own soil, on its own rocket," said Rahul Goel, Nordspace's chief executive officer, in the release. The release said the deal with the Department of National Defence "uniquely positions Nordspace in Canada's sovereign launch effort.Three Billion National Defence Space Investments" A separate release from the federal government said the Nordspace contract was part of $3 billion worth of investments by National Defence this year. The department said the spending is meant to "strengthen (Canada's) sovereign space capabilities and invest in the development of a strong, competitive Canadian space sector." Nordspace attempted several launches last year from its base in St. Lawrence, N.L. Those attempts were delayed or cancelled for various reasons, including fires on the launch pad and fishing boats that entered an exclusion zone. The company's plans have drawn attention as Canada looks to expand its domestic launch capacity. The Atlantic Spaceport Complex has been described as a key piece of that effort, with the new federal contract providing long-term backing.The contract also gives National Defence priority access to a dedicated pad, meaning military launches would have a guaranteed place in the schedule. Nordspace says the facility's upkeep and readiness are covered by the $20-million deal. Construction in St. Lawrence has proceeded in phases, with the second phase now underway. The company has said the site is intended to support launches from southern Newfoundland.Terra Nova Launch Milestone For NordspaceTerra Nova's orbital flight came aboard a SpaceX rocket from California, rather than from the Newfoundland site. The satellite's launch marked a milestone for Nordspace even as its own spaceport remains under construction. Federal officials framed the Nordspace contract as part of a broader year of space-related investments. The $3 billion figure covers National Defence spending aimed at sovereign space capabilities and the growth of a competitive Canadian space sector.Nordspace's previous launch attempts in St. Lawrence highlighted some of the logistical challenges at the site. Fires on the launch pad and fishing boats entering an exclusion zone were among the reasons launches were delayed or cancelled last year.