Canada to Invest in Space Technologies

LONGUEUIL, Quebec, Jan. 23, 2007/Satnews Daily/ — The Canadian Space Agency has announced an investment of CAD10.3 million ($8.72 million) in 36 research and development contracts awarded to Canadian industry for the design of new space technologies and applications.

Maxime Bernier, Canada Industry Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency, said the investments are crucial for supporting Canada's leadership position in niche markets such as robotics, remote sensing, satellite communication components, and radar, and for making groundbreaking technologies market-ready.

“These are technologies that respond to Canadian needs and those of our international partners,” said Bernier.

The contracts were awarded through the CSA's Space Technology Development Program (STDP). The 36 companies will develop a range of innovative space technologies, including:

• Guidance, navigation and control software to improve the autonomy, safety and reliability of space systems;
• Refinements of a new satellite concept for sensing land surface types, which could be used for studying the environment and monitoring our natural resources;
• Near instantaneous distress alerts to reduce Search and Rescue response times, even in the far North; and
• A feasibility study for an instrument that measures water content of soil without touching it, which could be used for exploration of Mars or other planets.

Investment in long-term space technology research and development are keys to the success of the Canadian space industry in the next decade, Bernier said. He added the support maintains a level playing field, since other countries invest heavily in their own areas of industry expertise and technologies are evolving quickly.

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