Canada's official time in Low Earth Orbit

Access to precise and resilient time is critical infrastructure, especially in a country as vast as Canada. I'm excited to be leading this effort at Xona. This work explores transmitting Canada’s official time standard, UTC(NRC), through Pulsar satellites, allowing Canadian timing infrastructure to receive the national standard directly, without reliance on terrestrial internet or wired distribution networks, while also benefiting from the resilience and performance advantages that LEO PNT systems can provide over traditional GPS alone.

At the Canadian Space Launch Conference, insights form Brigadier-General (BGen) Christopher Horner reminded us that building an inspiring and durable narrative is highly strategic and essential to achieving Canada's space launch goals and objectives. In doing so we must: > build a clear, cohesive national narrative about what sovereignty in space actually means and why it matters; > reframe space from a benign utility to a domain of power and resilience; > translate technical concepts into tangible examples of everyday impact that will resonate with all Canadians; and > use this story to create a national consensus at all levels that can shape and drive supportive policy, investment, and public will. #Space #Cdnpoli #Sovereignty #SpaceLaunch2026 #communication NordSpace Department of National Defence/Ministère de la défense nationale Space Canada | Espace Canada Canadian Space Agency | Agence spatiale canadienne Transport Canada - Transports Canada Renishaw Aon Siemens Glenair SpaceRig Olympus Mons Laboratory Space Engine Systems Marks & ClerkPhoton-IV Electro Source Inc Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada Defence Research and Development Canada | Recherche et développement pour la défense Canada Dominion Dynamics Maritime Launch Services

Space is hard—and communicating intent, value, and impact with precision and clarity is often the difference between momentum and missed opportunity. At #SpaceLaunch2026, if you’re thinking about how your work fits into Canada’s evolving space narrative, Sean, who leads our strategic communication team at NIVA Inc., would welcome a conversation. Drawing on experience in space and technology communications—and informed by perspectives like those of BGen Christopher Horner—he brings a measured, strategic lens to how stories shape outcomes in the space sector. We can help you navigate the complexity. (He’s the really tall, well-dressed guy—you can’t miss him.) #Space #SpaceLaunch2026 #communication

Maritime Launch Services and Isar Aerospace have signed a Letter of Intent to advance sovereign orbital launch capability in Nova Scotia, Canada. The agreement brings together Isar Aerospace’s orbital launch system and Spaceport Nova Scotia to support commercial and government missions requiring reliable access to mid- to high-inclination and polar orbits. The announcement showcases the growing strength of Nova Scotia’s space and defence ecosystem, where launch infrastructure, aerospace capability, advanced manufacturing, and dual-use technologies are helping support the future of sovereign space access. As allied nations increasingly prioritize secure and independent access to space, Nova Scotia is continuing to emerge as a strategic location for next-generation space and satellite operations. Read the full announcement: https://lnkd.in/dDe52Bc7 📍Connect with Sheldon Gillis MSC, CD and Jonathan Coles to explore aerospace, defence, and space-sector opportunities in Nova Scotia. #Space #Aerospace #Defence #SpaceportNovaScotia #SatelliteTechnology #LaunchSystems #NovaScotia #CANSEC2026

We can’t underestimate the importance of achieving sovereignty in space capabilities. The opportunity in Nova Scotia around space innovation and commericalization is real and happening now. We have the physical infrastructure, academic partners, talent to scale space related technologies. Our team Sheldon Gillis MSC, CD and Jonathan Coles are on the ground at DEFSEC if you want to connect to learn more.

Moving from reliance to resilience in space. Our CEO, Stewart Bain , will speak at the Canadian Space Launch Conference (CSLC 2026), hosted by NordSpace tomorrow, May 5, at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. This year’s theme, Building a Spacefaring Nation, speaks directly to a pivotal moment for Canada. Stewart will present on “What Sovereign Space Launch Unlocks for Canadian Satellites” and later join the panel “How SMEs Can Lead a Critical Shift in Canada’s Space Sector Towards Agility in Execution.” Our future in space will be driven by innovation and services that will depend on sovereign launch capability to protect Canadian interests. NorthStar is proud to be part of the national conversation on space sovereignty, resilience, and execution, alongside Canada’s leading institutions and experts. Department of National Defence/Ministère de la défense nationale Canadian Space Agency | Agence spatiale canadienne Transport Canada - Transports Canada Defence Research and Development Canada | Recherche et développement pour la défense Canada Space Canada | Espace Canada #SpaceCanada #SpaceSecurity #SovereigntyInSpace #SpaceLaunch2026

A partnership that strengthens launch capability in Canada 🚀🇨🇦 Maritime Launch and Isar Aerospace are collaborating to advance sovereign orbital launch readiness from Nova Scotia, helping build the infrastructure and partnerships needed to strengthen Canada’s future in space. $MAXQ $MAXQF https://lnkd.in/dGDt3iaf

What does the conflict in Iran portend about outer space? 👉 Disruptions and challenges to "free passage" in space. Iran has exploited its location next to a transit corridor vital to international commerce and energy markets, effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz to international maritime traffic. To achieve this feat, Iran neither established sea control nor air superiority over the strait; instead, it applied a relatively small amount of force—and the threat of using more—to achieve its goals. A nation applying this playbook to outer space could produce equally consequential results. Similar to transit rights through the strait, all nations have the right to freely use space—a right that is perhaps taken for granted. Unlike the Strait of Hormuz, all countries border space and, with the right technology, can threaten it. Nearly 80 percent of all operational satellites orbit less than 800 km from the Earth’s surface, a distance within reach of many ballistic missiles. The fact that space is under threat has been known for years. The lesson on display in the Strait of Hormuz is that disruption can be achieved and sustained without having domain superiority, and that, once disrupted, it is hard to return things to the old normal. Russia, China, and others are watching. The United States would stand to lose the most from a disruption to space. Rather than assuming it is possible to convince Iran, Russia, or any other country that it is not worth disrupting space, a parallel-path solution may be to develop ways to mitigate the impacts of anti-satellite weapons. This might include technologies that protect remote sensing satellites from laser dazzlers and quickly mitigate and remove debris from LEO. Focusing on technologies that could help satellites conduct more maneuvers over their lifetimes, as a way to raise their altitudes to escape debris fields and then return to the proper orbits, is another possible way to mitigate the threat of debris. A solution is possibly satellite refueling technologies, particularly for high-value spacecraft. The Pentagon may also want to rethink the wisdom of putting so many eggs in the LEO basket. Read the full article here on the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) website: https://lnkd.in/eUbt2nUv.

🗺️ The map of #power is changing. But old #strategic instincts remain surprisingly fresh 💡 In my piece for Limes, Rivista Italiana di Geopolitica 🌐 written with Giancarlo La Rocca, we look at why maritime strategy still offers a sharp lens to understand 🚀 Space competition: - ❌ choke points; - 🌍 freedom of maneuver; - �� domain awareness; - 🏗️ critical infrastructure ...and the art of being first where everyone else will later need to pass 🛰️ From #Hormuz to #LEO, from the #Arctic to #Taiwan, the lesson is simple: #Space is not empty. It is #crowded, #contested and #strategically #decisive. A 19th-century paradigm may be finding new life in 21st-century orbits. Read the post 👉 https://lnkd.in/d7MT4cA6

Pakistan is reportedly preparing for its first-ever human space mission within the next five months, marking a potentially historic milestone for the country’s space and scientific ambitions. The development reflects growing interest in space technology, research, and international cooperation in aerospace programs. Pakistan has gradually expanded its involvement in satellite and space-related initiatives. The announcement has generated significant public interest. Space and technology experts believe participation in human space missions could strengthen scientific research, technological innovation, and international collaboration opportunities. Space programs are increasingly linked to communications, climate monitoring, defense, and advanced research capabilities. Countries across Asia continue investing heavily in aerospace development. Pakistan’s space ambitions continue evolving. #Pakistan #Space #Astronaut #Technology #Science #SpaceMission #Innovation #Pediastan