Canadian Space Agency

Established in 1989, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) coordinates all civil space-related policies and programs on behalf of the Government of Canada. Its mandate is

Leveraging international cooperation, world-class Canadian scientific research and industrial development, the agency directs its resources and activities through four key thrusts:

• Earth Observation
• Space Science and Exploration
• Satellite Communications
• Space Awareness and Learning

For more information on these thrusts, consult the  Canadian Space Strategy (PDF format – 1.63 MB – 27 pages).

Resources for Researchers

In addition to information on CSA activities, the agency’s  Web site has resources for  industry and the  scientific community that pertain to:

• programs;
• announcements of opportunities;
• requests for proposals;
• fellowships and scholarships; and
• events and workshops.

Please consult the  Web site regularly, and subscribe to the  e-mail notification service to be kept informed of activities.

Research Units

The CSA’s in-house research is done in collaboration with Canadian universities, industry and other federal government research laboratories. Also, our projects involve strong international collaborations.

Space Technologies

Spacecraft Engineering

Fields of Research

• Robotics and intelligent systems for planetary exploration and on-orbit servicing
• Advanced robot control
• Tele-operation and autonomous robotics
• Modeling, simulation and identification of dynamic systems
• Contact dynamics modeling
• Autonomous rover navigation
• 3-D data processing for rover localization and mapping
• Spacecraft attitude control systems
• Spacecraft navigation
• Astrodynamics
• Vibration and shape control of membrane structures
• Space-based structures and testing and verification technologies
• Lightweight, deployable/inflatable structures
• Multi-functional structures
• Modeling and analysis of non-linear structures
• Advanced electro-optics
• Micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors, packaging technologies and reliability
• Advanced polymeric and metal matrix composites
• Testing of materials in simulated space environments
• Multi-functional materials and nano-coatings
• Smart and self-healing materials
• Space-debris mitigation
• Spacecraft thermal modelling and simulation technologies
• Novel space-based passive and active thermal technologies

Innovations in Canada's space sector are helping to promote a more competitive space industry, generate spin-off technologies, develop high-tech expertise, and create new jobs for Canadians. Spin-offs from the Canadian Space Program leverage investments in key technologies, thereby increasing the social and economic benefits that all Canadians obtain from space activities.

Space technology programs are helping industry develop strategic technologies in specific niches and establish links with foreign firms, improving access to international markets. The CSA is targeting numerous Canadian industries, most often in collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises, to accelerate the transfer of space technologies to non-space applications. These industries include oil and gas exploration, geology, mining, transportation, forestry and agriculture. Each stands to benefit from the application of space technologies to the conventional methods of Earth-based operations.

Contact

Dr. George Vukovich
Director
Spacecraft Engineering
Tel. 450-926-4660
Fax: 450-926-4695
E-mail: George.Vukovich@asc-csa.gc.ca

Canadian Space Agency
6767 route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec
J3Y 8Y9

Spacecraft Payloads

Fields of Research

• Optical, microwave, and electronic technologies for space applications
• Active and passive sensors for Earth observation
• Laser systems
• Monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC)
• Telecommunications and synthetic aperture radar antennas
• Spaceborne power systems
• Onboard processing
• Digital electronics
• Telemetry, tacking and command systems
• Radio transmitters, receivers and power amploifiers
• Microwave circuits
• Test and characterization of microwave semiconductors in pulsed mode (DC+RF)
• Instruments simulators
• Image analysis and data compression
• Intersatellite links
• Robotic vision
• Electromagnetic compatibility
• Effects of radiations on electronic components

Contact

Daniel Gratton
Acting Director
Spacecraft Payloads
Tel.: 450-926-4648
Fax: 450-926-4575
E-mail: Daniel.Gratton@asc-csa.gc.ca

Canadian Space Agency
6767 route de l’Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec
J3Y 8Y9

Space Science and Exploration

Planetary Exploration

Fields of Research

• Life support systems (greenhouse development, sensors and modeling)
• Astrobiology (biomarkers in rocks, ice and permafrost and atmospheric trace gases)
• Comparative planetary geology (periglacial/glacial geomorphology and geochemistry, geographic information system, impact processes, hydrothermal systems)
• Planetary climate & atmosphere (Mars global circulation model development, surface-atmosphere interactions, data analysis)
• Instrument development for future exploration missions (field spectrometers/spectroscopy, grain size analysis, trapped gas analyzers, imaging systems)

Canadian opportunities for Mars exploration are a current focus of the program, as Mars, our closest planetary neighbour, is considered to hold the answers to many questions about the formation of our solar system, our planet, and possibly the origins of life itself. The next challenge for this community is to explore Mars and other solar system bodies to try to answer scientific questions about the geology and atmosphere of other planets; human exploration; asteroids and comets; and enabling technologies. Canadian science instruments on past and future Mars missions (Phoenix Mars Lander 2008, Mars Science Laboratory 2011) provide new and exciting opportunities for Canadian scientists. Another field of interest is comparative atmospheres where research on mechanisms driving the climate of planets like Venus and Mars are compared with mechanisms operating on Earth. The goal is to understand what set the climate of each planet making it so different at some points and so similar at others.

Space Astronomy

Fields of Research

• Stellar astrophysics (including studies of white dwarfs and related stars)
• Interstellar medium (local galactic)
• UV astronomy (FUSE, Hubble Space Telescope)

By placing instruments on satellites above the atmosphere, scientists can observe stars and other phenomena of the universe that emit electromagnetic radiation that cannot be detected from Earth. These space-based telescopes provide scientists with an abundance of astronomical information, allowing them to discover never-before-seen features of galaxies, gas clouds, stars and planets.

The Space Science Program provides support for science investigations on subjects ranging from the birth of new stars to cosmic background radiation. Among the space astronomy projects led by CSA is the successful mission MOST, a space telescope launched in 2003 which is still operating and providing surprising results including observation of exoplanets. Canada is also taking part in the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the most ambitious space observatory ever, to be launched in 2014; Canada provides the observatory guider and a science instrument. The Herschel and Planck Surveyor missions are other astronomy missions with roles for Canada. Launched May 14, 2009, they will observe the universe in the far infrared. In the ultra-violet end of the spectrum, Canada is providing the detector module for the Indian Astrosat UVIT telescope planned for launched in 2010.

Web sites:  www.asc-csa.gc.ca/asc/eng/exploration and  www.asc-csa.gc.ca/asc/eng/sciences/default.asp

Contact

Dr. Alain Berinstain
Director
Planetary Exploration and Space Astronomy
Tel.: 450-926-6573
Fax: 450-926-4766
E-mail: Alain.Berinstain@asc-csa.gc.ca

Canadian Space Agency
6767 route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec
J3Y 8Y9

Solar-Terrestrial and Atmospheric Sciences

Fields of Research

• Solar physics
• Heliospheric physics
• Magnetospheric physics
• Ionospheric and thermospheric physics
• Middle atmospheric chemistry and dynamics (including ozone science)
• Tropospheric chemistry (including air quality)
• Clouds
• Aerosols
• Sun-climate connection

The Solar-Terrestrial and Atmospheric Research (STAR) Group at the agency has several active research scientists on staff and collaborates closely with a number of major research universities. Our staff scientists have access to an extremely rich dataset encompassing all aspects of the scientific inquiries listed above and are actively developing theoretical, computational and data assimilation tools to help answer some of the most significant questions concerning the Sun-atmosphere-Earth system and to understand the impacts of underlying processes on both the environment and society.

Over the last three decades, the CSA has supported over 20 large experimental projects in the solar-terrestrial (CGSM, THEMIS, Swarm, ePOP) and atmospheric sciences (MOPITT, SCISAT, OSIRIS, CloudSat, Chinook), some of which have led to major scientific breakthroughs. Currently the CSA is also involved on the PICARD, a CNES led missions aimed on solar physics and its effects on the EARTH climate).

Web site:  www.asc-csa.gc.ca/asc/eng/sciences/default.asp

Contact

Thomas Piekutowski
Director
Solar-Terrestrial and Atmospheric Sciences
Tel.: 450-926-4464
Fax: 450-926-4766
E-mail: Thomas.Piekutowski@asc-csa.gc.ca

Canadian Space Agency
6767 route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec
J3Y 8Y9

Space Life Sciences

Fields of Research

• Bone and muscle loss
• Cardiovascular physiology and metabolism
• Development biology
• Radiation dosimetry and biology
• Neurosciences and psychology

Space Life Sciences at the CSA brings together researchers from academia, industry and various organizations to learn how humans adapt to life in space and how they readapt upon their return to Earth. Particular areas of interest include bone and muscle loss, adaptations of the heart and other body systems and organs to weightlessness, whether organisms mature differently in space than on Earth, the effects of space radiation on living things, and space psychology and neurosciences.

Two major obstacles face humans as they venture into space. Outside our protective atmosphere, increased radiation poses a serious threat to both humans and machines. Then there is the most unique, exciting and physically challenging aspect of space: the virtual lack of gravity. The human body adapts to it with changes to the heart and circulatory system, blood, muscles, bones, sensory systems, the systems that control balance, as well as the kidneys and regulation of body fluids. Returning astronauts also experience some interesting short-term problems, as their bodies readapt to Earth’s gravity. Other interests include the stresses particular to multinational crews when confined for long periods of time, and ensuring that astronauts work at their peak so they make the most of their time in space.

Space Physical Sciences

Fields of Research

• Fluid physics
• Material sciences and processing
• Combustion
• Biotechnology
• Nanoscience

Physical science programs at the CSA use the unique environment of space to better understand chemical and physical laws. Canadian and international science instruments on the International Space Station and other platforms provide exciting research opportunities.

A near freefall environment gives researchers a unique opportunity to study the fundamental states of matter, such as solids, liquids and gases and the forces that affect them, without interference from gravity-driven flows. By reducing or eliminating sedimentation and buoyancy-induced effects in fluid sciences, we can better understand liquid-vapour interface geometry, evaporation, condensation, convection and surface tension. Materials science research in freefall clarifies how buoyancy-driven convection and sedimentation affect the solidification of materials and enhances the study of diffusion and surface kinetics. Certain studies of combustion processes and flame propagation can be done that are difficult or impossible on Earth. Protein crystal structures have been identified and classified when grown in the reduced-gravity environment.

Web site:  www.asc-csa.gc.ca/asc/eng/sciences

Contact

Dr. Nicole Buckley
Director
Life and Physical Sciences
Tel.: 450-926-4744
Fax: 450-926-4766
E-mail: Nicole.Buckley@asc-csa.gc.ca

Canadian Space Agency
6767 route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec
J3Y 8Y9

Operations

Operational Space Medicine

Fields of Research

• Cognitive Function Assessment
• Medical Autonomy for space missions / Crew Medical Systems
• Human Behaviour and Performance in extreme environments
• Radiation Dosimetry and Biology
• Exercise and nutrition countermeasures
• Remote and extreme environment medicine

The mandate of Operational Space Medicine is to promote and ensure the overall health (physical, mental, and social well-being) and safety of the Canadian astronauts during all phases of space missions. To fulfill this mandate space medicine combines different medical specialties, engineering and technology to examine the effects of spaceflight on humans and prevent problems associated with living in the unique, isolated, and extreme environment of space, as well as to meet the challenges of delivering health care during spaceflights.

Particular areas of interest include neurocognitive assessment tools for evaluating performance capability in space, understanding and characterization of the radiation environment inside the ISS, human behaviour and performance countermeasures (selection, training and support) for extreme environments, exercise and nutrition countermeasures for reduced gravity environments, medical autonomy through the provision of clinically current and versatile healthcare providers (skill set) and the provision of intelligent medical systems that will assist the Remote Care Physician with diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and maintenance of clinical skills, and development and validation of clinical protocols for remote and extreme environments.

Web site:  www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronauts/osm.asp

Contact
Jean-Marc Comtois, B.Eng, M.D.
Chief of the Astronauts & Director, Operational Space Medicine
Tel: 450-926-4755
Fax: 450-926-4707
Email: Jm.Comtois@asc-csa.gc.ca

Canadian Space Agency
6767 route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec
J3Y 8Y9