Canada-based Maritime Launch Services (MLS) has selected the Guysborough Municipality situated near Canso and Hazel Hill in Nova Scotia to open its commercial space launch complex.

Selected among 14 locations in North America, the Nova Scotia site will accommodate the launch complex for Cyclone 4M orbital launch vehicle from Yuzhnoye and Yuzhmash, UKraine.

Before finalising the site, MLS undertook a year-long assessment, during which the accessibility to polar/sun synchronous orbit, population density, proximity to multimodal transportation, as well as interest from the local community, province and government were evaluated.

"The Cyclone 4M rocket will become the standard of the medium-class space launch industry.”

MLS CEO John Isella said: “While we have a number of challenges ahead to work through the regulatory processes, approvals and site planning, we are optimistic that we can break ground on the launch complex within a year and meet market demands with our first launch in 2020.

“Building on the historically close ties between Canada and Ukraine, and addressing the satellite constellation launch market with an all Ukrainian medium class (3,350kg to SSO) launch service targeted at $45m, are a few of the fundamental strengths of this programme.

“The timing is perfect for this venture. Ukraine’s independent space industry, and the solid market for these launch services all add to our confidence in this programme. The Cyclone 4M rocket will become the standard of the medium-class space launch industry.”

Last year, the company secured initial funding for its space launch complex programme from Canada’s United Paradyne (UPC).