The Churchill Rocket Research Range is one of the more surprising stories on Hudson Bay. It was established in the 1950s to launch sounding rockets carrying experimental payloads into the upper atmosphere, and the strong auroral activity over Churchill was one of the reasons the site was chosen. For almost thirty years it was a base for upper-atmosphere research, and more than 3,500 sounding rockets were launched before it closed in 1985. It reopened for commercial launches in the 1990s under the name Space Port Canada, and it is now recognised as a National Historic Site of Canada. The range is linked with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA through its research history, and experiments on the northern lights were a central part of the work. Today the old launch site is home to the Churchill Northern Studies Centre, so a visit to the range and a visit to the centre are naturally combined. Much of what remains is concrete, towers and equipment standing in open country, and the interest lies in the story as much as in the structures.
The most direct way to see the range is the Historic Rocket Range Tour run by the Churchill Northern Studies Centre. It lasts about an hour, takes place outdoors and covers the history of the range, its ties to the Canadian Space Agency and NASA and the suborbital research done there, including aurora experiments. You can choose a walking tour or a driving tour, and the guide explains what each structure was for.
Tours are booked in advance through the centre, at least 24 hours ahead, and the price depends on the tour type and group size, so ask when you book. Some town and area tours also include a stop at the range, so check what a tour covers if you are choosing between them.
Prepare for the setting. The range stands on open, exposed ground near Hudson Bay, so wind and cold matter in any season, and you should dress in warm layers with windproof outer clothing. The surroundings are polar bear country, which is why a guided visit is the sensible way to go rather than wandering alone, and you should follow the guide's instructions at all times. Wear sturdy footwear for uneven ground.
Why go
It adds a very different thread to a trip that is otherwise about wildlife and the fur trade. The idea that Churchill was once a launch site for scientific rockets, chosen because of the northern lights, helps explain why the research centre exists and why scientists still come. It pairs well with a tour of the green building at the centre, with a night of aurora viewing in winter and with a morning at the Itsanitaq Museum. Allow about an hour for the tour, plus travel time from town.
As a practical matter, ask the centre which version of the tour suits your group. The walking option is slower and lets you take in the details of the old structures, while the driving option covers more ground and is gentler in cold or windy weather. Photographers will enjoy the stark, open setting, which looks different under snow, in summer light and under a winter aurora. Keep your expectations modest about what remains standing, and let the guide's stories fill in what has gone.
What to expect
The experience
A guided outdoor tour of the old rocket launch site, on foot or by vehicle, led from the Churchill Northern Studies Centre.
Best time
Check the centre for tour dates; wear warm layers in any season.
How long
About one hour, plus travel from town.
Tips
Book at least 24 hours ahead, dress for wind and follow the guide's bear safety instructions.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Curious visitors who like unusual history and science.
- Families
- Older children who like space and rockets will enjoy it, though it is an outdoor tour in an exposed spot.
- Couples
- A quirky shared outing that is far from the usual wildlife itinerary.
- Pair with
- The Northern Studies Centre's green building tour and an aurora evening.
- Time needed
- Allow half a day with travel.
Good questions
What was the Churchill Rocket Research Range?+
It was a launch site for sounding rockets carrying experiments into the upper atmosphere, chosen partly for its auroral activity. More than 3,500 rockets were launched before it closed in 1985.
Can I visit the range?+
Yes, the Churchill Northern Studies Centre runs a Historic Rocket Range Tour of about an hour, with walking and driving options. Book at least 24 hours ahead.
Is it a heritage site?+
Yes, it is a National Historic Site of Canada.
Is it safe to explore on my own?+
Churchill is polar bear country, so a guided visit is the sensible choice. Follow the guide's instructions and do not wander away from the group.
What else is nearby?+
The Churchill Northern Studies Centre now stands on the old launch site, and the Aurora dome and observation deck are there. The town is more than 20 kilometres away.
