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4w ago

Concordia’s Starsailor Rocket Lifts Off but Likely Falls Short of Space

Hardware recovery followed by telemetry analysis is expected to determine whether an early nose-cone separation prevented the rocket from crossing the 100-kilometre boundary.

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Concordia University engineering student's spacecraft Starsailor launched at 5:34 a.m. in the Mistissini region of northern Quebec on Aug. 15, 2025.
The Starsailor rocket is shown in an undated handout photo during ground testing in the days prior to its launch, approximately 250 km north of the Cree community of Mistissini, in northern Quebec.
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Overview

  • The Starsailor rocket, developed over seven years by Space Concordia engineering students, launched from Mistissini Cree territory at 5:34 a.m. ET on August 15, 2025.
  • Telemetry and livestream commentary indicate the nose cone detached prematurely near maximum dynamic pressure, making it unlikely the vehicle exceeded the Kármán line.
  • Transport Canada’s approval made this the first student-led space launch cleared by federal regulators and Canada’s first attempted launch since 1998.
  • Mistissini Cree community members attended the liftoff and partnered on site outreach, underscoring Indigenous collaboration in the mission.
  • Concordia engineers and students are now retrieving debris and analyzing flight data to pinpoint anomalies and guide future rocket design.