NordSpace faced another setback in its rocket launch plans on Newfoundland’s south coast due to a fire on the launch pad. The company had hoped to launch its rocket on Wednesday but had to postpone the attempt after a minor fire caused by an anomaly at the launch pad.
The launch window for NordSpace was initially set between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The company indicated on its website that favorable weather conditions in the afternoon increased the likelihood of a launch. A CBC News reporter observed preparations at the cleared launch pad with drones in the air in anticipation of the launch.
NordSpace aims to launch its single-engine rocket, Taiga, in St. Lawrence, N.L., to become the first to conduct a commercial rocket launch in Canada. Taiga, a six-meter tall rocket constructed using 3D-printed metal, represents a significant milestone for the company.
Before the delay, NordSpace had been getting ready for a morning launch but postponed it to the afternoon. The company mentioned in a livestream comment that operational restrictions for the current launch would not apply to future orbital missions, allowing for more flexibility in challenging conditions.
In a morning update on its website, NordSpace confirmed that both the pad and rocket were ready for launch as the window opened at 6:30 a.m. The company had previously made two failed attempts to launch the rocket due to various issues, including a small boat near the launch area and a propellant fire just before liftoff.
Despite the challenges, NordSpace remains determined to complete the suborbital launch, with plans for the rocket to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean after a brief flight. The company’s CEO, Rahul Goel, reassured that the fire incident was not uncommon in rocket launches and is confident in the upcoming launch.
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