The project was announced by the companies in Kiel, Munich and Halifax on 19 May 2026. It is focused on developing secure launch infrastructure for Canada while supporting integration with the country’s national space ecosystem.
The cooperation is linked to TKMS’s bid for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. TKMS said the initiative would support its broader ambition to develop capabilities across multi-domain operations, from seabed to space.
Isar Aerospace’s role is based on its approach to scalable launch services for small and medium satellites and satellite constellations. The companies said the project is intended to contribute to NATO’s responsive launch readiness until late 2028 or early 2029.
“Through cooperating with Isar Aerospace, TKMS is underlining its ambition to successfully cover all domains of modern naval warfare,” said Tobias Würtz, Senior Vice President Industrial Cooperation at TKMS.
“Our partnership combines global submarine program experience with space launch expertise, supporting sovereign capability and long-term operational superiority for Canada and other partner nations,” Würtz added.
Stella Guillen, chief commercial officer at Isar Aerospace, said sovereign space access requires launch capability as well as satellite ownership. “True sovereignty in space requires more than just owning satellites; it requires the capability to launch them,” Guillen said.
“As part of the collaboration, Isar Aerospace stands ready to provide the technology, the scale, and the industrial resolve to ensure that sovereign nations can command the high ground – today and in the future,” she added.
TKMS said the companies are jointly making a significant investment in a Canadian space launch complex. The project could generate more than Can$10 billion in domestic value creation, according to the company, based on expected growth in future space launch markets.
“TKMS and Isar Aerospace are jointly making a significant investment in building a Canadian Space launch complex, with the potential to generate more than Can$10 billion in domestic value creation given the significant market growth for future space launches,” said Thomas Keupp, Chief Sales Officer at TKMS.
“The overall economic and strategic value of this project is underscored by additional political backing from the German government,” Keupp added.
Isar Aerospace will establish a local Canadian entity to work with Canadian small and medium-sized businesses. The companies said this is intended to build sovereign satellite launch capability, create high-skilled jobs in Nova Scotia and support regional economic growth.
