2005-2006 Priority Technologies

The Space Technologies Branch has established a list of priority technologies based on the new Canadian Space Strategy and following extensive consultations with industry, academia, technical and scientific authorities and other key stakeholders. The list will guide the implementation of our technology research and development programs and activities. The list will be updated on a regular basis to reflect recent technological and scientific breakthroughs, future mission opportunities and shifts in market demands.

• The list is in alphabetical order by technology type
• All technologies listed will be developed primarily for space applications

Communication Technologies

	Advanced communications and systems architecture for reconfigurable payloads
	Digital on-board processing for mesh networks
	Enterprise and government satellite broadband technologies development and demonstration in Ka-band for northern communities
	Ground segment and satellite payload for next generation MEO Search and Rescue Systems
	Navigation test receivers (including navigation and satcom dual-mode receivers)
	Next-generation DVB-RCS (DVB-S2) ground systems in Ka-band for two-way broadband applications
	Next-generation space antennas
	Optical inter-satellite links (OISL) for LEO/MEO/GEO to GEO satellites
	Satellite payload for short messaging services in LEO/MEO
	Transparent and regenerative switching for multiple beam systems and advanced flexible payloads

Observation Technologies

	Advanced data processing technologies for enhancing data quality of spaceborne sensors
	Advanced sensor technologies for Earth observation, planetary exploration, and atmospheric studies
	Advanced technologies for C-band smallsat SAR constellation including advanced antennas
	Closed loop MEMS optical beam manipulator
	Digital SAR sensor electronics
	Ka-band radar
	Long wavelength (74 cm) P-band imaging SAR technologies
	Membrane mounted MEMS/MMIC
	Microbolometer technology for micro-/nano-satellites
	Onboard compression of high data rate (>1Gbps) sensor data, and error detection and correction implementation for compressed data
	Operational technologies for cloud avoidance
	Space-based radar altimeter

Exploration Technologies

	Active 3-D vision systems
	Advanced end-effectors
	Bio-medical and robotic technologies for maintaining closed-environment and human health in long-term manned space missions
	Compact instrument suites for landed Mars/Moon missions
	Efficient operations planning and verification tools
	In-situ resource extraction and utilisation
	Instrument suites for Mars/Moon orbiter missions
	Navigation for planetary rover
	On-board stereo vision algorithms for autonomous capture of free-flying satellites
	Phased-array optical telescopes
	Precision laser-ranging technologies for spacecraft outer inspection, rendezvous, docking, and landing
	Safety monitoring for robotic operations
	Subsurface sample acquisition and handling subsystem for lander or rover platform
	Technologies for autonomous on-orbit servicing of spacecraft
	Wide swath optical telescopes

Spacecraft Technologies

	Advanced modules and technologies for flexible payloads
	Fault-tolerant computer architectures
	Nano-engineered coating to improve and extend material performance
	Novel autonomous attitude control system for small/micro-/nano-satellites
	Novel high performance, scalable, reliable and cost effective computing systems and architectures for space
	Novel power management systems
	Novel spacecraft/system heat management for small/micro-/nano-satellites
	Novel technologies for spacecraft manufacturing, integration and testing