Maritime Launch Services (MLS) has selected a number of Nova Scotian firms to advance design and preparations for construction of its rocket launch complex located near Canso.
These companies will “support Maritime Launch in building a state-of-the-art, world-class launch complex,” said Stephen Matier, president and CEO of MLS, in a media release May 26.
“With initial financing in hand, we have begun hiring members of our executive leadership team and we are accelerating work on the site so we can break ground on construction of the complex in the fall.”
The preparation efforts include work for Strum Consulting, Stantec, Lloyd’s Register, Nova Construction, Lindsay Construction Management, StFX and others, according to a company release.
Following a competitive bid, MLS selected Stantec, a global firm with offices in Nova Scotia, to lead the spaceport facility design team. This follows on the services Stantec has already been providing as one of MLS’s environmental services consultants.
Nova Construction, based in Antigonish, will partner with MLS on the road building and civil construction associated with the site.
“Nova Construction is pleased to be selected to lead the road construction. We take pride in hiring local and utilizing community materials and resources from small businesses within the surrounding communities,” said Donald Chisholm, president of Nova Construction. “Nova Construction is ready to get to work on this important project. Over the years, we have built more than 500 miles of highway across the Atlantic provinces and we are known for our attention to detail, innovation, and environmental stewardship.”
The Applied Technology Group at Lloyd’s Register is performing launch operations air emissions modeling, and MLS is contracting StFX FluxLab, led by Dr. David Risk, to implement the air monitoring program for the spaceport. StFX FluxLab is the largest and most intensive gas and emissions measurement group in Canada. They develop instrumentation and algorithms for gas measurement, conduct gas measurement studies, work closely with industry and train upcoming generations of young scientists.
“Hiring local and utilizing capabilities and resources within Nova Scotia is a priority for Maritime Launch. In the coming months, we will host an industry day in coordination with the Municipality of the District of Guysborough to brief the community on job opportunities and the plans for construction and design of the facility. Our construction partners will need to hire extensively for site construction,” said Matier. “Today’s news is just the beginning.”
