Meet Jeanue Chung, a third-year Astronomy & Astrophysics student at the University of Toronto (U of T) who is not just studying space but actively shaping Canada's future in it. As the founder of LUNR, Chung is tackling a critical challenge: Canada's dependence on foreign space launch capabilities.
The persistent challenge of skilled professionals leaving Canada, coupled with the nation's dependence on foreign space launch capabilities, didn't just register with Chung – it ignited a solution in the form of LUNR, founded in February 2024. LUNR's core mission is to develop orbital-class launch vehicles, effectively giving Canada independent control over its space access and positioning it as an innovator in the global space landscape. Chung underscores the urgency and importance of LUNR's work, pointing out that unlike other G7 nations, Canada lacks sovereign launch capability, making the cultivation and retention of Canadian innovation especially vital amidst global instability.
LUNR's development has been significantly shaped by U of T’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfE) quickly became central to operations, providing a co-working space that Chung fondly refers to as a "second home," alongside meeting spaces and prototyping labs. Crucially, Chung's acceptance into the CfE’s Venture Mentoring Service connected him with two mentors, a partnership that provided "valuable advice and guidance," directly fuelling LUNR's progress. Beyond these resources, Chung's experience as a Varsity Blues athlete has forged invaluable discipline and resilience – qualities demonstrably essential for steering a pioneering aerospace company. This athletic background translates into Chung's leadership style, characterized by meticulous planning and a clear commitment to operational excellence.
LUNR aims to develop the largest launch vehicle ever built in the country, helping to secure sovereign access to space and position Canada as a leader in the global space industry. Currently, Canada relies on foreign launch providers, primarily in the United States, despite a strong domestic presence in satellite manufacturing and related fields. LUNR seeks to bridge this gap by offering independent launch access for Canadian and international payloads. The LUNR-01 aims to provide a cost-effective solution with a competitive price per launch and a high payload-to-mass ratio for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) deployments. While core technology details remain proprietary, LUNR's combination of size, reusability, and strategic importance positions it as a transformative force in space access.
LUNR's long-term vision includes plans for moon-capable systems (LUNR-02) and further space infrastructure development. This U of T-born startup, led by a determined student, is poised to propel Canada into a new era of space exploration.