Canada’s 9-Step Authorization to Launch Process: A Complete Guide for Space Operators

Notice of Intent (NOI)

The NOI is a written document submitted to TC’s SET branch that signals your intent to apply for an ATL. Submission of a complete NOI obligates TC to convene an information session within 21 business days. This session is the most valuable step in the entire process: it lets you understand exactly what each reviewing department will need before you invest months in application preparation.

The NOI must cover all 15 required items:

1. Applicant Identity — Full legal name and address.
2. Primary Contact — Name, address, and direct telephone number.
3. Launch Purpose & Date — Mission purpose and approximate target date.
4. Vehicle Identity — Model, type, and configuration.
5. Vehicle Description — Stages, dimensions, propellants, and maximum thrust per stage.
6. Accident History — Any previous incidents with this vehicle model.
7. Foreign Ownership — Ultimate beneficial ownership structure.
8. Flight Profile (if available) — Launch site, impact/landing areas, hazard areas, orbital parameters.
9. RF Spectrum (if available) — Spectrum licensing intentions.
10. Launch Site Operator (if known) — Name and address.
11. Aeronautical Study (if conducted).
12. Site Security Program (if available).
13. Payload Description (if available).
14. In-Space Operations (if available) — Lifespan, disposal plan, spectrum intentions.
15. Additional Context — Anything useful for the session participants.

Submit as a non-editable PDF via email to tc.commercialspacelaunch-lancementspatialcommercial.tc@tc.gc.ca. The NOI must be signed and certified as true, complete, and accurate by an authorized officer. Start preparing items (h) through (n) even with only preliminary data — partial information is far better than blank fields.

Information Session with Transport Canada

This is a formal multi-departmental meeting — not a public hearing — where TC and up to 15 partner departments review your preliminary launch concept. The session typically runs 2–4 hours. Prepare a concise mission summary package (10–20 pages) covering your vehicle, payload, launch site, and intended trajectory.

Ask each department representative: “What specific documents or analyses will you need, and in what format?” This becomes your application planning checklist. Also ask TC early about Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) applicability if your vehicle uses any U.S.-origin components — this can add months to your timeline.

Departments likely to participate include: Transport Canada (SET), Canadian Space Agency, National Defence (DND/CAF), ISED Spectrum Management, Global Affairs Canada, Nav Canada, ECCC, RCMP/CSIS, NRCan Remote Sensing, and the Transport Safety Board.

Formal Application Preparation & Submission

Your formal application is a comprehensive technical and administrative package covering seven review categories. TC screens it for completeness within 30 business days before the interdepartmental review clock starts. The cover letter must list every enclosed document with version numbers and dates. All technical analyses must use SI (metric) units.

You may request confidential treatment for commercially sensitive materials. Mark those documents CONFIDENTIAL — COMMERCIAL IN CONFIDENCE on every page and state the desired protection period at submission.

Safety Review — Flight & Ground

The most technically demanding element. Two components: Flight Safety (trajectory analysis, QRA, FHA, FTS, debris, COLA) and Ground Safety (explosive site plan, QD calculations, lightning protection, pressure vessel documentation). TC references U.S. FAA Part 450 methodology and RCC standards as accepted means of compliance. For the full technical breakdown, see our QRA deep-dive article.

Your application must demonstrate that all four quantitative risk thresholds are simultaneously met: Individual Risk ≤ 1×10⁻⁶, Collective Risk (Ec) ≤ 1×10⁻⁴, High Consequence Event probability ≤ 1×10⁻⁶, and Aircraft Strike ≤ 1×10⁻⁶ — all per flight.

Security Review

Mandatory for all applicants. Personnel background checks by RCMP and CSIS cannot be accelerated and typically take 3–6 months for all senior personnel with access to the launch vehicle, propellants, pyrotechnics, or launch control systems. Begin the moment your information session confirms security review requirements.

Four required documents: Security Risk Assessment (SRA) — covering threat/vulnerability analysis and cyber security; Launch Site Security Plan; Launch Operator Security Plan; and Personnel Vetting Records. A designated Security Official must be identified and hold appropriate clearance.

Payload Review

Every payload must be individually reviewed and approved. TC consults CSA, NRCan, ISED, GAC, and DND as appropriate. Submit all 11 required payload data items including physical description, foreign ownership, in-space licences (spectrum and remote sensing), hazardous materials, orbital parameters, and end-of-life disposal plan.

For orbital launches, the ATL will attach binding Orbital Safety Conditions: passivation of spent stages, debris control, conjunction avoidance maneuvers, post-mission disposal (LEO within 5 years; GEO to graveyard orbit), and real-time hazard reporting to TC.

Policy, Financial Responsibility & Technology Security

Three reviews run in parallel: Policy Review (national interest, foreign ownership, treaty compliance — led by TC with Global Affairs Canada and DND); Technology Security Review (ITAR/EAR/EIPA export controls, TSA compliance — critical if your vehicle uses any U.S.-origin components); and Financial Responsibility.

On financial responsibility: Canada bears absolute international liability under the Liability Convention for all launches from its territory. Insurance is non-negotiable. TC typically requires CAD $100M–$1B+ in third-party liability coverage depending on mission profile and population overflown. Start insurance procurement at least 6 months early — specialist aerospace liability underwriting takes 3–6 months even with a complete safety analysis in hand.

Authorization Issuance or Refusal

If the Minister is satisfied the launch is in the public interest and adequate safety measures are in place, TC issues a written ATL specifying: the authorized vehicle, launch site, launch period, authorized payload, and all binding conditions. The ATL is vehicle-specific, site-specific, and time-limited.

If refused, TC provides written reasons. There is no formal internal appeal mechanism. Operators may reapply after addressing deficiencies — but a better strategy is proactive engagement with TC throughout the review to resolve concerns before a refusal is ever issued. Meticulous records from your first application are your most valuable asset for renewals.

Post-Authorization Obligations

Receiving the ATL is not the end. At least 30 days before each launch, submit an update package to TC including updated trajectory and risk assessment, final vehicle configuration, insurance confirmation, NOTAM request reference, hazardous operations schedule, and emergency contact list.

Within 90 days of each launch, submit a post-flight report covering: actual vs. planned trajectory, vehicle performance, payload deployment confirmation, any anomalies and root cause analysis, FTS activations, and any updated debris analysis. For orbital launches, TC handles the UN object registration — but you must provide the required data within the TC-specified timeframe.