Canada's Foreign Ministry says Canada and the United States have completed negotiations on an agreement that will accelerate the development of Canada's commercial space launch industry and provide Canada with advanced American technology.
Technology Protection Agreement (Technology Safeguards Agreement), which has not yet been signed, gives Canada access to American space launch technology, expertise and data, while safeguarding sensitive American technology. Ratification of the agreement is pending final review and authorization from both parties.
“The conclusion of negotiations between Canada and the United States means that we are one step closer to finalizing this agreement, which, if enacted, will position our country to be a global leader in commercial space launch,” Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement.
The commercial space launch technology included in the agreement will support Canada’s efforts to increase the private sector’s ability to launch satellites into space. This will benefit Canada’s jobs market, economy, research innovation and national security, according to a statement from the government agency Transport Canada.
Maritime Launch, the company responsible for building Canada's first commercial spaceport in the Eastern Shore province of Nova Scotia, commented on the completion of negotiations with the US.
“This bilateral agreement, if implemented, would be critical to building a thriving space sector in Canada,” said Stephen Matier, president and CEO of Maritime Launch Services, and a former contractor for the U.S. space agency, NASA.
“Today’s announcement is a clear signal that Canada is open for business and looks forward to welcoming U.S. clients to launch from Canada’s first commercial spaceport, Spaceport Nova Scotia,” he added.
America leads the world in the private space launch sector, accounting for 87% of all private launch-specific investment by 2023, according to a report by the U.S. International Trade Commission.
“It’s exciting to see companies investing their capital into innovative commercial space capabilities, and we’ve seen how these types of partnerships benefit both the private sector and NASA,” said Phil McAlister, director of commercial spaceflight at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
“These companies can leverage NASA’s extensive knowledge and experience, and the agency could become a customer for capabilities included in future agreements.” (ft/ah)
