Preparing for a groundbreaking event: Concordia students gear up for a historic rocket launch on the astronomical frontier
In an exciting milestone for Canadian space exploration, Concordia University engineering students are gearing up to launch a student-built rocket into space from Mistissini, Quebec. The historic launch, scheduled between August 8 and August 11, 2025, marks the first-ever Transport Canada-approved student-built rocket mission to reach space and the first space launch from Canadian soil in the 21st century [3][4][1].
Named Starsailor, the 12-meter-tall rocket uses a kerosene and liquid oxygen engine, much like the ones that propelled rockets to the moon [1][3][4]. The engine will burn for about 30 seconds, reaching a top speed of about five times the speed of sound. After the engine shuts off, the rocket continues to fly until it reaches an altitude of 125 kilometers, crossing the Kármán line, the recognized boundary of space [1][3][4].
The project, which has been seven years in the making, has seen the involvement of over 700 students, making it not only a Canadian milestone but also possibly the largest student-built rocket of its kind globally [1][5]. The launch is happening in collaboration with the Cree Nation, with the local community assisting in setting up infrastructure for the launch, including building tents [2].
The launch team includes about 40 students, who have been working tirelessly to ensure the success of the mission. Mourad Debbabi, dean of the Gina Cody School of Engineering, has praised the project as a testament to the ambition, passion, and ingenuity of the students [6].
The event is scheduled to be livestreamed, and ideally, the launch will take place on Aug. 11 between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. For those who miss the live event, a replay will be made available. Additionally, a documentary about the project is in production [2][7].
If successful, Starsailor will make history as the first student-built liquid rocket to make it to space and the first liftoff on Canadian soil in 25 years [1]. The rocket is slated to lift off about 250 kilometers north of Mistissini, Que. [3].
This ambitious project serves as a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration, dedication, and a shared dream of pushing the boundaries of human knowledge. As the date of the launch approaches, anticipation grows, and the Concordia University engineering students are poised to make their mark in the annals of space exploration.
References:
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/concordia-rocket-launch-1.6124865
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/concordia-rocket-launch-cree-community-1.6131353
- https://www.concordia.ca/news/articles/2022/03/03/concordia-rocket-launch-approved-by-transport-canada.html
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/concordia-rocket-launch-quebec-1.6124866
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/concordia-rocket-launch-cree-community-1.6131353
- https://www.concordia.ca/news/articles/2022/03/03/concordia-rocket-launch-approved-by-transport-canada.html
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/concordia-rocket-launch-documentary-1.6131362
News about the upcoming space launch is generating excitement worldwide, with Concordia University's student-built rocket, Starsailor, set to make history as the first student-built liquid rocket to reach space. This milestone event, happening in collaboration with the Cree Nation, also marks the first space launch from Canadian soil in over two decades. The achievement underscores the power of education, self-development, and technology in expanding the boundaries of human knowledge, particularly in the fields of science and space-and-astronomy.
