Canadian Space Launch Conference Aims to Secure Nation's Sovereign Space Access

Canadian leaders in aerospace, government, and technology will convene at the first Canadian Space Launch Conference (CSLC) to address the nation's critical need for independent space launch capabilities. Dr. Doug Milburn, Co-Founder and Chairman of Protocase and ProtoSpace Mfg., will deliver a pivotal lightning talk highlighting Canada's manufacturing potential in aerospace development.

The conference emerges against a backdrop of urgent national technological positioning. Canada remains the only G7 and Five Eyes nation without independent launch abilities, a gap that becomes increasingly significant as the global space economy is projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2040. The CSLC represents a strategic working meeting designed to transform this vulnerability into an opportunity for national innovation and economic growth.

Conference programming will encompass comprehensive discussions across multiple critical domains, including defense, security, commercial space development, and regulatory frameworks. Prominent speakers include Brigadier-General Christopher Horner, Commander of 3 Canadian Space Division, and Brian Gallant, CEO of Space Canada, who will deliver keynote addresses that set the strategic vision for Canada's space ambitions.

The event's significance extends beyond technological development, representing a potential watershed moment for Canadian economic and strategic positioning. Achieving sovereign launch capabilities could generate substantial benefits, including enhanced national security, technological independence, job creation, and environmental monitoring capabilities.

Sponsored by leading organizations such as ProtoSpace Mfg., Galaxia, and Spaceport Canada, the conference signals a coordinated national effort to establish Canada as a proactive participant in the emerging global space economy. Dr. Milburn's perspective underscores the urgency: the window of opportunity for establishing independent space launch capabilities will not remain open indefinitely.

As the conference convenes, it represents more than a technical symposium—it embodies a collective national strategy to ensure Canada's relevance and leadership in the next frontier of technological and economic development.