A test of the Barracuda hypersonic suborbital rocket from a developing spaceport near Canso, Nova Scotia, ended short of space after the vehicle departed from its planned trajectory late in flight. Maritime Launch Services hosted the launch, the second commercial rocket flight from its coastal facility.
The 4.5-metre Dutch-built rocket lifted off at 8:51 a.m. local time. Canadian astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen initiated the launch as about 100 stakeholders, journalists and other guests watched from more than a kilometre away. NATO representatives visiting Nova Scotia for discussions about the alliance’s Starlift space-access initiative were also present.
The rocket was not designed to enter orbit, but the mission had a possibility of climbing above 100 kilometres, the altitude conventionally used as the boundary of outer space. It approached that threshold before an anomaly in the later phase of ascent produced an unexpected turn. The vehicle did not reach space and, as planned for the test, ultimately fell into the Atlantic Ocean.
Maritime Launch Services chief executive Steve Matier said the rocket appeared to make a dog-leg movement. He cautioned that determining the cause could take days. A problem involving one or more stabilizing fins was among the possible explanations expected to be examined, but no cause had been established immediately after the flight.
T-Minus Engineering of Delft, Netherlands, built and launched the Barracuda. The company also supplied the rocket used in the site’s previous commercial flight in November and selected the Nova Scotia facility for Barracuda testing. Engineers cancelled a second launch planned for later that morning so they could review the new data. Another attempt remained possible before the permitted window closed on June 13.
For Maritime Launch Services, the modest suborbital test formed part of a broader effort to create a Canadian orbital-launch capability. The Halifax-based company has been developing roads and pads at the site, though planned buildings were not yet evident. Its long-term objective is to launch spacecraft from Canadian soil, something not previously accomplished in the country.
The Canso location sits east of much of the North American coast, a geography Matier considers useful for sending satellites toward sun-synchronous orbit. The project has proceeded alongside developing Transport Canada rules and continuing local questions about environmental and safety effects.
Interest in the spaceport has expanded beyond private test customers. The company also holds a federal government contract connected to satellite launches, while Ottawa has said Canada intends to become a full member of NATO’s Starlift program. The unsuccessful altitude goal therefore left useful engineering work ahead without ending the larger push for a domestic launch sector.
