Concordia University students, in conjunction with the Cree Nation of Mistissini, launched Canada's first rocket in 25 years.
MONTREAL, Que.—Thanks to students from Concordia University and the Cree Nation, in mid-August, Canada experienced the first space launch in more than 25 years. The mission, with the rocket launching from a base camp about 250 kilometres north of Mistissini, in northern Quebec, was a collaborative effort between the Space Concordia Rocketry Division and members of the local Cree community.
The rocket, named Starsailor, broke records as the first of its size to be launched by a student team. Starsailor stood 42 feet tall and weighed over 800 kilograms. Starsailor was powered by a custom-built engine, capable of reaching speeds of more than five times the speed of sound. It carried a payload including an on-board flight computer, cameras and memorabilia.
The students hoped Starsailor would enter space, past the Kármán line, which is at an altitude of 100 kilometres. But, the rocket separated earlier than expected, stifling its ascent.
The rocket was originally built for a science competition that was cancelled during the pandemic, so its development spanned seven years. Nevertheless, the team pressed forward with a greater purpose: to make Canadian aerospace history. Other challenges the students faced included transporting the rocket, bunkers and other structures involved, navigating logging roads, and communicating by radio, since the remote area was without cell service.
In all, over 700 Concordia students from a wide range of scientific disciplines contributed to the Starsailor program since its inception in 2018. The project was led by the Rocketry Division of Space Concordia and became one of the most advanced student rocketry initiatives in the world.
The launch also reflected a strong collaboration with the Cree Nation of Mistissini, where students worked closely with local leaders to ensure the mission respected the land. They also created opportunities for Mistissini youth involvement through educational activities and mini-rocket activities.
The rocket was adorned with Cree syllabics in tribute to the legend of Chikabesh, a character in the folklore of the Cree and Innu peoples of North America who was sometimes known as "The Man in the Moon," as many of his tales conclude with him traveling to the moon and living there.
Oleg Khalimonov, director of the Starsailor program and lead for the launch told CBC news that his time on Cree land brought something more personal: connection.
"The traditions, the people here, the Cree way of life," said Khalimonov. "The best part about being here [is] learning how people live here and the culture and the community."
Mistissini leaders have also expressed satisfaction with being involved with the historic project, noting hopes that someday Cree students will be involved in similar space engineering.
