LC COMPETITION 2023
Experience the annual Stardust Festival in Timmins, Ontario—a three-day celebration of rocketry, innovation, and community. Join us for rocket-focused activities, talks from experts, and project judging from August 25 to 27. Launch rockets at a new site supported by the Mattagami First Nation, from August 28 to September 1. Explore career opportunities, safety inspections, and insightful talks. Connect with enthusiasts, leaders, and officials. Conference held at Cedar Meadows Resort. Take Launch Canada higher. Click Below for more info!
Launch Canada supports first suborbital student rocket launch at Spaceport Nova Scotia
Launch Canada has successfully collaborated with Maritime Launch Service and Arbalest Rocketry, marking a significant milestone in Canadian rocketry. The joint event took place over two days within a three-day launch window, culminating in a launch on July 6th, 2023, at 9:55 AM. The successful execution of all stages underscored the efficacy of this collaboration.
Student participants showcased their skills and knowledge by ensuring a safe flight originating from Nova Scotia and a successful landing in the Atlantic Ocean. This event displayed their abilities and paved the way for future advancements in the field. For further details, please refer to the link provided below.
A Recap of the 2022 Launch Canada Competition
nEW PARTNERSHIP
Key partnerships have been invaluable to the success of Launch Canada and this is why we are excited to announce the new partnership with SoftInWay Inc. The partnership supports the upcoming 2023 Launch Canada challenge with its AxSTREAM SPACE software and training material available to the students involved.
SoftInWay is an Engineering Development company that specializes in the design, and analysis of turbomachinery. This will help aid students across Canada who currently are participating in the Launch Canada competition and development of an electric turbo pump. We are so grateful for this partnership as students will now have the ability to design pump machinery with performance and safety in mind.
To learn more head to their website:
https://www.softinway.com/softinway-supports-next-generation-of-rocketry-engineers-through-new-partnership-with-launch-canada/
LR-101 Engine Test Fire
On October 21, 2021, Launch Canada successfully test-fired a liquid-fueled rocket engine on Canadian soil. This success was the culmination of 4 months of preparation and the effort of over 70 students from several Canadian universities. The engine fired for 35 seconds and produced a peak thrust of 1000 lbf (4.45 kN). See the engine in action:
February 13th, 2022
Launch Canada participating teams have now completed their preliminary design presentations where feedback was given from Launch Canada Volunteers to help guide the student’s projects. Preliminary reports have now been submitted by each team for Launch Canada to review.
February 17th, 2021
Check out SpaceQ’s coverage of Launch Canada’s 2021 competition:
December 21, 2020
Launch Canada’s president Adam Trumpour presents at the Latin American Space Challenge (LASC) 2020 Online Conference
November 28th, 2020
the launch canada community site is now live
connecting you to launch canada, industry, amateur rocketeers, & participating teams
register now
Registration for the 2021 Launch Canada Competition is now closed.
Over 1100 rocketry students are contributing to the 2021 competition.
See you Summer 2021!
The Launch Canada 2021 Competition count of participating students by team. The 2021 year will include over 1100 engineering students from across Canada designing, building, testing, and launching amateur launch vehicles.
Special Launch Canada Mention From Chris Hadfield
The Launch Canada Lecture Series is now live!
This members only series will feature online lectures from the space industries best, every two weeks. See member communication streams for more details.
Our first talk, a “Fireside Chat” with Rocket Lab’s Founder & CEO Peter Beck (aired May 10th) is available to all. See below
Enjoy!
Webinar #10:
Fireside Chat with Tory Bruno of ULA Friday, August 14th @ 3:30PM EST
Launch Canada is excited to welcome Tory Bruno for a virtual fireside chat with Canada’s rocketry students where we’ll be learning just what it takes to build and manage a successful and safe rocket-building organization, with valuable lessons for students in their projects and in their future careers.
Salvatore T. “Tory” Bruno is the president and chief executive officer for United Launch Alliance (ULA). In this role, Bruno serves as the principal strategic leader of the organization and oversees all business management and operations.
Prior to joining ULA, he served as the vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Strategic and Missile Defense Systems. Bruno joined Lockheed Martin in 1984. He previously served as vice president and general manager of FBM and ICBM, as vice president of the THAAD Missile, as vice president of Engineering, as chief engineer for Strategic Missile Programs, as program manager for FBM Rocket Propulsion and in engineering positions involving design and analysis for control systems of rockets and hypersonic reentry vehicles. He holds several patents.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the California Polytechnic State University, in San Luis Obispo, California, and has completed graduate courses and management programs at Harvard University, Santa Clara University, the Wye River Institute, San Jose State University and the Defense Acquisition University.
He is also the author of two books that explore the organization of the medieval Knights Templar from the perspective of modern business management.
SGAC x Launch Canada presents: Fireside Chat with George T. Whitesides
On July 10th @ 7PM EST, the Space Generation Advisory Council and Launch Canada will co-host a Fireside Chat with George T. Whitesides, CEO at Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company. This comes on the heels of exciting developments for private orbital and suborbital space flight. The conversation on student rocketry challenges and innovation will take centre stage: from competition to space, inspiring the next generation of space professionals. A notable emphasis will be placed on discussing Canada's nascent industry and plans underway for a dedicated spaceport, while delving into innovation-driven challenges and fostering entrepreneurial leadership.
Webinar #5: From Amateur Rocketry to Disrupting Rocket Propulsion: Lessons from a SpaceX Veteran
Friday, June 19th @ 7PM EST
Tom Mueller, currently a Senior Advisor at SpaceX, has 30 years of propulsion development experience and is one of the world's foremost rocket engine designers. As one of SpaceX’s founding members, he was responsible for building and managing SpaceX’s propulsion development group which develops propulsion systems and engines for the Falcon launch vehicles and the Dragon spacecraft.
At SpaceX, Mueller led development of the Merlin rocket engine, the highest-performing US-made hydrocarbon engine. Mueller is currently involved in development of new propulsion systems, including the next generation Raptor engine that will eventually enable humans to be a multi planet species.
Tom was recently inducted into the Academy of Engineers at University of Idaho. Other achievements include receiving an Honorary Doctorate degrees from LMU and University of Idaho and the TRW Chairman's Award, the company's most prestigious award for technical achievement. He holds several US patents in propulsion technology.
In this talk, Tom will be speaking about his amateur rocketry activities and the lessons he learned on how to successfully build propulsion engineering, development, and test capabilities.
Launch Canada Live Webinar with Peter Beck, Founder and Chief Executive of Rocket Lab Sunday, May 10th, 5PM EST
Don’t miss the free live webinar Sunday, May 10th at 5PM EST. This talk is exclusive to Launch Canada members only.
Peter Beck is the founder and chief executive of Rocket Lab, a space systems company and the world’s leading dedicated small satellite launch provider. Rocket Lab provides end-to-end mission services, including complete satellite build and launch solutions, that provide rapid, frequent and reliable access to space. Rocket Lab has been launching since May 2017, delivering satellites to orbit for commercial and government customers, including DARPA, NASA, the NRO, the United States Air Force and more.
Since founding the business in 2006, Peter has grown Rocket Lab to become a globally recognised industry leader in space and a billion-dollar company employing hundreds of world-class engineers. In addition to creating Electron, the world’s first fully carbon-fibre orbital launch vehicle, Peter also oversaw the development of the world’s first and only private orbital launch range, located on New Zealand's Māhia Peninsula. He played a crucial role in establishing international treaties and legislation to enable orbital launch capability from New Zealand.
