By By Karen Graham Nov 24, 2017 in Technology Canso - Maritime Launch Services Ltd. (MLS) has come a long way since March of this year when it chose a small rural community near Canso, on Nova Scotia's eastern coast, to be the site of a commercial spaceport. Groundbreaking is expected in early 2018. The Canso, Nova Scotia, Canada, as seen returning from Grassy Island. Bardencj Besides working on launch vehicle development and securing clients, MLS has also undertaken Maritime Launch Services Ltd. The Yuzhnoye Cyclone 4M rocket MLS, Yuzhnoye, and Yuzhmash have signed a formal Memorandum of Cooperation for the delivery of Cyclone 4M rockets to the launch complex. In Cyclone M4 rocket is one of the world's most reliable launch vehicles. Yuzhnoye A target price of $45 million per launch is being suggested with a payload of up to 3,350 kilograms (7,385 pounds) allowed. The rocket is also suitable for sun-synchronous orbit applications. MLS notes that signed Letters of Intent with satellite clients have already been secured, with more to come. The Cyclone 4M's reliability is based on a history of 221 successful launches of the Cyclone family and well over 875 missions of other launchers designed by Yuzhnoye and built by Yuzhmash. Almost $400 million in commitments from satellite clients have been confirmed to fill the payload capacity of 3350 kg aboard the Cyclone 4M. When construction is complete, the complex will include a launch pad and a processing facility, which would be about two kilometers (1.3 miles) apart from each other, connected by a transportation hub. MLS will employ between 30 to 50 people between launches and hundreds more prior to and during launches.The Guysborough Journal reported on Friday that MLS had released an update on the spaceport project in the Little Dover area. There are still regulatory hurdles to overcome before construction can begin, but company president Steve Matier said he's already heard "a lot" from residents.Besides working on launch vehicle development and securing clients, MLS has also undertaken environmental assessments, seasonal data collection, finalization of the layout for the launch site to meet safety criteria, and topographical mapping and surveying. Lindsay Construction in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, has been chosen as the construction management partner and will focus on the overall launch site construction effort, including the selection of the architectural and engineering (A&E) design team.MLS, Yuzhnoye, and Yuzhmash have signed a formal Memorandum of Cooperation for the delivery of Cyclone 4M rockets to the launch complex. In September 2016 , the Yuzhnoye Design Office in Dnipro, Ukraine announced it had been given formal approval by the State Space Agency to proceed with a new international launch complex and operations in North America based on its existing Cyclone M4 Rocket.A target price of $45 million per launch is being suggested with a payload of up to 3,350 kilograms (7,385 pounds) allowed. The rocket is also suitable for sun-synchronous orbit applications. MLS notes that signed Letters of Intent with satellite clients have already been secured, with more to come.The Cyclone 4M's reliability is based on a history of 221 successful launches of the Cyclone family and well over 875 missions of other launchers designed by Yuzhnoye and built by Yuzhmash. Almost $400 million in commitments from satellite clients have been confirmed to fill the payload capacity of 3350 kg aboard the Cyclone 4M. More about Maritime launch services, canso nova scotia, Spaceport, Cyclone 4M, satellite clients Maritime launch serv... canso nova scotia Spaceport Cyclone 4M satellite clients