147
Objects launched
126
Payloads
Most recent objects
GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org)| Object | Launched | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FrontierSat | 2026 May 3 | Payload | Operating |
| Aether-3 | 2026 Jan 11 | Payload | Operating |
| Aether-4 | 2026 Jan 11 | Payload | Operating |
| Aether-5 | 2026 Jan 11 | Payload | Operating |
| Aether-6 | 2026 Jan 11 | Payload | Operating |
| Aether-7 | 2026 Jan 11 | Payload | Operating |
| Aether-8 | 2026 Jan 11 | Payload | Operating |
| Aether-9 | 2026 Jan 11 | Payload | Operating |
| Aether-10 | 2026 Jan 11 | Payload | Operating |
| Aether-11 | 2026 Jan 11 | Payload | Operating |
Objects by decade
GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org)1960s8
1970s15
1980s9
1990s7
2000s15
2010s28
2020s65
Source: GCAT (J. McDowell, planet4589.org)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Space objects launched | 147 objectsGCAT [2026] |
| First space object | Alouette 1GCAT [2026] |
| First launch (year) | 1,962GCAT [2026] |
| Most recent launch (year) | 2,026GCAT [2026] |
| Active satellites | 56Celestrak SATCAT [2026] |
| Total tracked objects | 118Celestrak SATCAT [2026] |
- 1959-
- 1962 - launched first domestically built sounding rocket (Black Brant 1); first domestically designed and built satellite (Alouette) launched by US
- 1972-
- 1973 - first domestic communications satellites (Anik A-1 and Anik A-2) launched by US, making Canada first country to employ satellites for domestic communications
- 1970s - began participating in US Space Shuttle (first Canadian in space on Shuttle in 1984) and US Mars probe/exploration programs
- 1995 - first Canadian-built, radar-capable remote sensing satellite (Radarsat-1) launched by US
- 2019 - began participating in US/NASA Lunar Gateway orbital station program; launched constellation of remote sensing satellites (RADARSAT Constellation Mission)
- 2020 - signed the US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration (active participant in planned Moon missions under the Artemis program)
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
