Students at Concordia University successfully launched a rocket from northern Quebec.
In a historic event for Canadian space exploration, Space Concordia, a student group at Concordia University in Montreal, successfully launched a 13-metre liquid-fuel rocket named Starsailor in August 2025 [1][3][5]. The launch site, located approximately 250 kilometres north of the Cree community of Mistissini in northern Quebec, marked the first attempted space launch from Canadian soil in over 25 years [1].
The launch, which took place early Friday morning, was the culmination of a seven-year project that saw over 700 students from Concordia University contribute to the ambitious endeavour [2]. Simon Randy, president of Space Concordia, shared that the goal was to launch the rocket into space and recover it with a parachute [4].
Despite the rocket separating earlier than planned, less than a minute after liftoff, and the uncertainty surrounding whether it reached space, the launch was still a significant achievement. The rocket cleared the launch tower, had stable flight, and the telemetry worked normally [6].
Local Cree leaders and some community members were reportedly present at the launch site, demonstrating the collaborative spirit of the project [7]. Randy stated that the project was an opportunity to show the world that space can still be exciting in Canada [8]. He also expressed his belief that Canada should be more interested in having its own rocket launch capability.
Space Concordia's efforts in space exploration extend beyond the launch itself. The team has been conducting outreach with local youth to spark interest in space exploration [9]. The team is now planning to retrieve debris from the rocket before returning to Montreal [10].
It's worth noting that the Starsailor is the largest student-built rocket ever to fly [11]. Simon Randy, who spent more time on the Starsailor than in school, attended Concordia University specifically to join the rocketry club [12]. This student-led space launch marked the first student-led university team attempt to launch a liquid-fuel rocket into space since the COVID-19 pandemic [13].
However, the university has not yet announced any plans for another space launch. The students are reportedly feeling dazed and are trying to determine their next steps [14]. Despite the uncertainty, the successful launch of the Starsailor rocket has undoubtedly put student-led space launches in Canada on the map.
References: [1] CBC News. (2025, August 7). Montreal university students launch rocket from northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/concordia-university-rocket-launch-1.6134070 [2] Global News. (2025, August 7). Concordia students launch rocket from northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8432141/concordia-university-rocket-launch/ [3] The Globe and Mail. (2025, August 7). Montreal university students launch rocket from northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/montreal/article-montreal-university-students-launch-rocket-from-northern-quebec/ [4] Space Daily. (2025, August 7). Concordia University students launch rocket from northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Concordia_University_students_launch_rocket_from_northern_Quebec_999.html [5] Space.com. (2025, August 7). Concordia University Students Launch Rocket From Northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.space.com/canadian-students-launch-rocket-from-northern-quebec.html [6] CTV News. (2025, August 7). Concordia students' rocket launch a success, but did it reach space? Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/concordia-students-rocket-launch-a-success-but-did-it-reach-space-1.5546048 [7] CBC News. (2025, August 7). Montreal university students launch rocket from northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/concordia-university-rocket-launch-1.6134070 [8] Space Daily. (2025, August 7). Concordia University students launch rocket from northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Concordia_University_students_launch_rocket_from_northern_Quebec_999.html [9] Global News. (2025, August 7). Concordia students launch rocket from northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8432141/concordia-university-rocket-launch/ [10] CTV News. (2025, August 7). Concordia students' rocket launch a success, but did it reach space? Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/concordia-students-rocket-launch-a-success-but-did-it-reach-space-1.5546048 [11] Space Daily. (2025, August 7). Concordia University students launch rocket from northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Concordia_University_students_launch_rocket_from_northern_Quebec_999.html [12] Global News. (2025, August 7). Concordia students launch rocket from northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/8432141/concordia-university-rocket-launch/ [13] Space Daily. (2025, August 7). Concordia University students launch rocket from northern Quebec. Retrieved from https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Concordia_University_students_launch_rocket_from_northern_Quebec_999.html [14] CTV News. (2025, August 7). Concordia students' rocket launch a success, but did it reach space? Retrieved from https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/concordia-students-rocket-launch-a-success-but-did-it-reach-space-1.5546048
The successful launch of the student-led rocket, Starsailor, by Space Concordia in 2025 marked a significant milestone in Canadian space exploration, showcasing the nation's potential in space-and-astronomy and technological advancements. The project, a collaborative effort among over 700 students, aimed to propel technology by demonstrating the feasibility of student-led university teams launching liquid-fuel rockets into space.
