Artemis II and its launch pad: a space springboard for Quebec SMEs

NASA’s Artemis II mission, now targeted for launch in spring 2026, marks the program’s first manned mission to the Moon in over 50 years. Kennedy Space Center’s launch pad 39B, specially upgraded to accommodate the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft, is at the heart of this new era of exploration. As NASA finalizes communication tests between SLS, Orion and ground systems, and prepares for countdown dress rehearsals, the global space ecosystem is organizing around a massive supply chain and new services focused on data and automation.  ([nasa.gov](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-2/nasa-progresses-toward-artemis-ii-moon-mission/?utm_source=openai))

For Quebec SMEs, these developments are not just a technological spectacle to be watched from afar. Quebec already accounts for almost 15% of the province’s aerospace exports, with over 90,000 jobs supported by the sector and a high concentration of specialized suppliers around Montreal, the world’s third largest aerospace hub ([aeromontreal.ca](https://aeromontreal.ca/en/industrie/?utm_source=openai)). The needs associated with Artemis II, launch pad modernization and preparation for future missions (Artemis III and beyond) open up a strategic window of opportunity for SMEs capable of innovation in AI, software, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity and digital services. In this article, we analyze the 2024-2025 trends linked to Artemis II and its launch pad, and how Quebec SMEs can concretely connect to them.

1. Artemis II and launch pad 39B: understanding the context and challenges

Artemis II is the first manned mission in the Artemis program. It will send four astronauts – including Canadian Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency – on a 10-day flyby of the Moon before returning to Earth. NASA has officially rescheduled the flight “at the earliest” for spring 2026, after resolving technical issues on Orion’s heat shield and some critical subsystems.  ([nasaspaceflight.com](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/12/artemis-ii-update-2/?utm_source=openai))

Launch pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center has been extensively modernized to accommodate this new generation of heavy launchers. The work includes cryogenic refueling systems, digital infrastructure for real-time telemetry, and highly automated safety systems. Between 2019 and 2024, NASA will carry out a series of tests and wet dress rehearsals to ensure the reliability of the entire chain: launcher transport from the Vehicle Assembly Building, demonstration firing and emergency procedures.  ([space.com](https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/nasa-hopes-to-launch-artemis-2-astronauts-to-the-moon-next-month-but-its-going-to-be-tight-this-is-not-a-rush?utm_source=openai))

In 2025, the agency announced that it had successfully completed the integration of Orion and its launch abort system on the SLS, as well as end-to-end communication tests with the Near Space Network and Deep Space Network. The next key milestone is the complete Countdown Demonstration Test, including ground teams on the launch pad.  ([nasa.gov](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-2/nasa-progresses-toward-artemis-ii-moon-mission/?utm_source=openai))

These elements show that the “launch pad” is no longer just a concrete and steel structure; it’s a highly connected cyber-physical system, boosted by data, digital modeling and automation. For Quebec SMEs, this transformation opens up several avenues:

• Software and embedded systems for telemetry, simulation and real-time analysis.
• Artificial intelligence solutions for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection and optimization of ground operations.
• Industrial cybersecurity applied to firing range OT (Operational Technology) systems.
• Collaborative tools and CRM to coordinate international supply chains.

By relying on technology partners with expertise in AI, digital integration and automation, such as Nuaweb, SMEs can develop offerings tailored to the extreme requirements of the Artemis ecosystem.

2. The weight of Québec’s aerospace industry: a launch pad for the space industry

Québec enjoys a structuring position in the global aerospace industry. According to the Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie, the aerospace industry will generate annual sales of C$22.8 billion by 2024, with more than 230 suppliers (mostly SMEs) around five major prime contractors. Quebec accounts for 93.4% of Canadian aircraft exports, 76.4% of engines and 35.7% of aerospace parts and equipment. ([economie.gouv.qc.ca](https://www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/en/outside-quebec/home/translate-to-english-secteurs-dexcellence/aerospace?utm_source=openai))

According to Aéro Montréal, nearly 60,000 people work in the aerospace industry in Quebec, including 43,000 in manufacturing, and around 80% of production is exported. The sector alone accounts for some 15% of all Quebec exports, confirming its status as an economic pillar. ([aeromontreal.ca](https://www.aeromontreal.ca/aerospace.html?utm_source=openai))

This critical mass gives Québec SMEs a strategic advantage when it comes to positioning themselves in the space sector – and particularly in programs such as Artemis – because :

• They are already part of global supply chains (Airbus, Bombardier, Pratt & Whitney, etc.).
• They have mastered quality standards and certifications close to or equivalent to those required in the space industry (AS9100, ITAR, etc.).
• They have expertise in high-precision manufacturing, 3D metal printing, advanced materials, mechatronics, test benches and more.

The trend in 2024-2025 is clearly towards convergence between aeronautics and space. Major integrators are looking for partners capable of transferring their aeronautical know-how to space applications: lightweight structures, thermal systems, hardened electronic components, control software, as well as digital tools for operations and data management.

This is where digital solutions tailored to SMEs come into their own: a tailor-made CRM to manage relationships with international principals, a professional web presence to respond to calls for tender and enhance regulatory compliance, or multilingual AI chatbots capable of supporting the sales team in their complex interactions. These digital foundations become concrete competitive assets for integrating channels linked to Artemis II and subsequent missions.

At the same time, space is becoming increasingly commercialized. Recent estimates from international firms indicate that the global space economy could exceed US$1,000 billion by 2040, driven by constellations, Earth observation, connectivity and lunar services. ([aeromontreal.ca](https://aeromontreal.ca/en/industrie/?utm_source=openai)) Even if Artemis II is first and foremost a government mission, it serves as a catalyst for a whole series of projects in which Quebec SMEs can fit in – provided they look after their digital maturity and international visibility.

3. Three families of opportunities for Quebec SMEs around Artemis II

Beyond the fascination with the 39B launch pad and the SLS, the 2024-2025 trends show three major families of opportunities to which Quebec SMEs can connect.

1) Technologies and services for ground infrastructure

Modern firing ranges are data platforms. Infrastructures for refueling, access control, environmental monitoring and security continuously generate massive flows of information. NASA already relies on networks such as the Near Space Network and the Deep Space Network for communications with Orion, but must also orchestrate thousands of local sensors and systems.  ([nasa.gov](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-2/nasa-progresses-toward-artemis-ii-moon-mission/?utm_source=openai))

Quebec SMEs can contribute :

• AI algorithms for predictive plant maintenance (cryogenic pumps, refueling arms, service towers).
• Web-based visualization and supervision platforms, secure and accessible to all teams.
• Industrial automation and IoT solutions for extreme environments.

A technology agency like Nuaweb can support these SMEs in designing robust software architectures, integrating AI modules, and setting up useful real-time dashboards for critical operations.

2) Digital transformation of the supply chain

New-generation space programs require complex international coordination involving a myriad of subcontractors. Companies wishing to plug into Artemis II or launcher programs will need to demonstrate excellent traceability, fluid communication and responsiveness.

For an SME, this means :

• Implementation of a CRM dedicated to industrial B2B to manage relations with NASA, space agencies, integrators and partners.
• Automation of quotations, contracts, certifications and quality audits.
• Integration with existing ERP systems and the supplier portals of major customers.

CRM and automation solutions like those offered by Nuaweb can help SMEs to structure these processes, gain in efficiency and comply more easily with the documentation requirements of space programs.

3) Marketing positioning and international credibility

Finally, there’s an opportunity that’s often overlooked: technical marketing. To be taken seriously by space players, SMEs need to prove their expertise, certifications and references.

This implies :

• A professional multilingual website, clear on technical capabilities, certifications and use cases.
• Educational content (articles, white papers, videos) explaining how their solutions can be integrated into infrastructures such as a launch pad.
• Lead generation tools (forms, online demonstrations, webinars) connected to a CRM.

A team specialized in website creation and video production, like Nuaweb, can help build this technical brand image, combining storytelling, scientific rigor and SEO optimization to target aerospace and space decision-makers.

4. How a Quebec SME can prepare itself concretely right now

The launch of Artemis II may not take place until 2026, but purchasing decisions, partnerships and technical framing are all up for grabs right now. Here’s a pragmatic roadmap for Quebec SMEs wishing to take advantage of this window of opportunity.

1) Map your strengths and weaknesses

Start with a diagnosis:

• What technical skills do you already possess (materials, electronics, software, AI, data, cybersecurity, testing, etc.)?
• What certifications do you hold, and which ones would you need to aim for space?
• Is your digital infrastructure (website, CRM, automation) up to the level expected by major international contractors?

This diagnosis can be carried out during a strategic consultation with a digital partner to identify priority investments: upgrading your online presence, structuring your customer data, integrating AI into your offerings.

2) Structure your digital ecosystem

A solid numerical base is essential to dialogue on an equal footing with Artemis II players:

• A clear, fast and secure website, presenting your services, technical capabilities and customer references.
• A centralized CRM for tracking opportunities, tenders and projects with your prospects.
• Automated processes (lead follow-up, document dispatch, reminders) free up time for innovation and R&D.

Nuaweb can support you throughout this entire process: from setting up AI chatbots to manage incoming requests, to creating B2B e-commerce portals for your parts or specialized services.

3) Developing a targeted offering for the space industry

Rather than pretending to “do everything for space”, focus on one or two use cases linked to the needs identified around Artemis II and its launch pad. For example:

• Apredictive analysis module for cryogenic equipment maintenance.
• A web-based dashboard for visualizing ground system status during countdown phases.
• A data integration service between industrial systems and secure cloud platforms.

Create mock-ups, demonstrations or proofs of concept that you can present to clusters, agencies or large integrators. Web and video content, designed with an agency like Nuaweb, will help you make these solutions understandable and attractive to non-technical buyers.

4) Joining support networks and programs

Finally, connect with organizations that act as gateways to space:

• Aéro Montréal and aerospace groups.
• Federal and provincial innovation and export support programs.
• Joint calls for projects with the Canadian Space Agency and NASA.

Coupled with a professional digital presence and clear communication of your strengths, this will put you in a good position to capture some of the value created by programs like Artemis II.

Conclusion: transform Artemis II into a growth engine for your SME

Artemis II and the modernization of its launch pad are more than just an American technological feat: they are catalysts for a new space economy in which Quebec SMEs have their rightful place. With an aerospace industry that generates annual sales of over $22 billion and accounts for almost half of all jobs in the sector in Canada, Quebec already has the human and industrial resources to be a key partner in this new lunar era. ([economie.gouv.qc.ca](https://www.economie.gouv.qc.ca/en/outside-quebec/home/translate-to-english-secteurs-dexcellence/aerospace?utm_source=openai))

To seize these opportunities, however, your SME needs to take a step forward: strengthen its digital maturity, clarify its positioning, structure its customer relations and integrate AI at the heart of its operations. This is precisely where Nuaweb can help.

Want to assess your SME’s potential in the space or aerospace ecosystem? Book a free consultation with our experts in AI, web design, CRM, e-commerce and video by visiting https://nuaweb.com/#contact. Together, let’s turn Artemis II and the lunar economy into a real growth engine for your company.