Organization: Canadian Space Agency

The Short Report, July 10, 2019: Nuclear power, future skills, health tech

A planned $100-million infusion for Alberta’s artificial intelligence sector — promised in February by then-governing NDP leader Rachel Notley — is on hold, as Premier Jason Kenney’s United Conservative Party scrutinizes the investment. Edmonton-based AI hub Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) was slated to to use some of the funds to open a Calgary office, but…

The Short Report, June 19, 2019 – Research chairs, cybersecurity, Strategic Innovation Fund

Science and Sports minister Kirsty Duncan has announced over $275 million for 346 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs at 52 institutions across Canada. It was the most gender diverse competition yet: 47% women, 22% visible minorities, 5% persons with disabilities, and 4% Indigenous peoples. The Canada Foundation for Innovation is contributing another $5.2 million…

Canadian Space Agency first to appoint an external science advisor

Dr Sarah Gallagher has been appointed the first science advisor of the Canadian Space Agency – the first in a proposed network of external science advisors to key departments and agencies across the federal government. The two-year appointment will see Gallagher – an associate professor of physics and astronomy at Western Univ – report directly to CSA president Sylvain Laporte and establish a close working relationship with Dr Mona Nemer, Canada’s chief science advisor and the architect of the external advisory network.

Neptec wins $11.9-million contract for new sensor suite

Neptec Design Group has been awarded an $11.9-million contract by the Canadian Space Agency to design a vision sensor suite for the International Space Station (ISS), scheduled to launch in 2021. The new vision system will be operated from the Canadian-made Dextre Robotic arm and provide critical services to the ISS, inspecting exterior surfaces of the ISS…

New Space Advisory Board calls for urgent action to halt decline in embattled sector

The precarious state of Canada’s space sector has compelled the recently populated Space Advisory Board (SAB) to issue an “urgent call to action” for a new national strategy and “long-term continuity” for its space program. The recommendation to the federal government is part of a suite of suggested actions that include taking a whole-of-government approach to space, making space a national strategic asset, boosting smaller programs considered more suited to the so-called New Space environment and a continuing role for the SAB to ensure coordination, stakeholder dialogue and metrics to evaluate implementation plans.

Two more Canadian-built nanosatellites launched

Two Canadian-built nanosatellites have been launched from a facility in Yasny Russia as part of the BRITE Constellation, a constellation of satellites designed to examine a wide range of astrophysical phenomena. All six satellites were designed and built at the Space Flight Laboratory at the Univ of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS). The latest…

Russian launch of COM DEV satellite cancelled

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is working to secure a new launch for a military satellite developed by COM DEV International Ltd after the federal government scrapped plans to have the bird launched on a planned Russian Soyuz rocket. The cancellation of the M3M satellite launch is the result of increasing tensions between Canada and…

Neptec receives $1.35 million CSA follow-on contract

The Canadian Space Agency has awarded a $1.35-million contract to Ottawa-based Neptec Design Group to continue its work on a measuring system for ASTRO-H, a next-generation space observatory slated for launch in 2015. ASTRO-H is a project of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Neptec’s ASTRO-H Metrology System will assist in calibrating the observatory’s main telescope…

CSA awards $6.2 million for space weather research

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded $6.2 million for 10 projects at five universities to study how space weather affects the ionosphere and its impacts on technology. The awards were made to the Univ of Alberta, Univ of Saskatchewan, Univ of New Brunswick, Univ of Calgary and Athabasca Univ. Funding comes from the CSA’s…

CSA awards six space exploration contracts

The Canadian Space Agency has awarded six contracts, valued at $250,000 each, to four organizations to develop concept studies related to future space exploration ventures. The studies are part of the CSA’s strategy to invest in emerging technology areas, such as: a high resolution Canadian-led space telescope; robots to remove space debris and tune-up ailing…