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About the Canadian space industry
The industry consists of six areas:
It's a cooperative effort supported by the Canadian Space Agency,
universities, research centres, private corporations and government organizations,
and it employs some 5,500 people across Canada, including engineers
technicians, scientists, and life sciences specialists
Space technologies
Innovating
Through more than 250 companies, universities and research centres, you could contribute to the advancement of Canadian space technologies. In fact, the Canadian Space Agency invests a great deal in research and development to ensure that Canada remains a leader in the space industry.
The Canadian Space Agency focuses on the following areas of expertise:
- Spacecraft payloads, which advances technologies critical to the operation of
instruments aboard spacecraft
- Software and ground segment, which develops computer systems, such as those used in control rooms, for the ground segment of space
operations
- Spacecraft engineering, which develops advanced technologies for
spacecraft
- Technology management which markets these
technologies
These technology development activities need a sound, technical base in terms of expertise, research and development capabilities, and up-to-date knowledge of
technology advances around the world. The next section gives
a profile of occupations in the advancement of space technologies.
What is a payload? |
A launcher that weighs more than 800 kg and whose engine is powerful enough to launch 1,200 kg of weight can get 400 kg of cargo into space.
The launcher cannot get more than 400 kg of cargo into space. That's its payload. |
Satellite telecommunication
Bringing people closer together
Today, communicating between Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and Halifax, Nova Scotia seems routine and not at all complicated. In a country as large as Canada, this was not always the case.
Satellite telecommunication helps people maintain close
contact through wireless communication. The most common form of wireless communication is the cellular
telephone. But this form of communication also allows a specialist practicing in a large centre, such as Toronto, to follow and assist in a surgery being performed in Canada's North. This is called telemedicine. It allows a sailor on a vessel in the middle of the ocean to communicate with his family via Internet.
It makes it possible for us to find out about a major announcement in Japan at the same time as the Japanese. All these things are possible thanks to satellite telecommunication.
How does all this work? A telecommunication satellite is placed
in geostationary orbit; that is, the satellite hovers over the same area of the Earth at all times, thus allowing uninterrupted communication.
First full view of Canada obtained using RADARSAT-1, Canada's first Earth observation satellite. The 276 images used to put together the mosaic were taken in January 1999 over a short seven-day period.
David Florida Laboratory
Testing the technology
The David Florida Laboratory in Ottawa is where spacecraft developed by aerospace
companies is assembled and tested. For example, it was here
that initial testing of the shuttle's remote manipulator system, better known as
Canadarm, was conducted.
The laboratory has dust-free rooms, known as clean
rooms, that are used for testing, as well as various chambers to simulate conditions in space.
Testing at the David Florida Laboratory on
RADARSAT and SCISAT satellites.
Earth and environment
Protecting the environment
Observation satellites return data and images that scientists study
to better understand space, the atmosphere and the surface environment.
This also helps to monitor world climate and the resulting changes such as depletion of the ozone layer and increased greenhouse gases.
Studying the surface environment allows us to monitor forests and their development. Changes on the maritime coasts can also be monitored, with tidal waters continuing to encroach on the land a little more each year. In addition, by monitoring natural disasters, we hope to be better able to predict and mitigate them.
Carmarthen Bay, Wales, United Kingdom - The Sea Empress, a
147,000-tonne supertanker, ran aground on the south coast of
Wales on the evening of February 15, 1996. An estimated
65,000 to 70,000 tonnes of light crude oil was spilled. The oil,
floating on the surface of the water, apears as the dark spot on
the
radar image. Radar is very useful to assess the size,
position, and spread of
an oil slick.
Space science
Understanding the universe
Space science is fundamental to technological advances in the space industry. It provides us with a better understanding of the
universe and allows us to apply what we've learned to technological developments. There are six fields of study in this
area.
Atmospheric environment
Studies atmospheric changes and the effects of human actions on the environment.
MOPITT was be the first major Canadian instrument
to measure pollution in Earth's atmosphere from space.
The satellite looks at the
planet's environmental processes.
Space Environment
Predicts the effects of the Sun on meteorology, climate, winds, and ocean currents.
WINDII is aboard NASA's Upper
Atmosphere Research Satellite. It
is the first space observatory
launched as part of the Mission to Planet Earth program.
Space Astronomy
Studies the stars and the Universe from space telescopes, making it possible to observe without
interference from Earth's atmosphere.
Image of interstellar tornados at the core
of the Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8), located
5,000 light years toward Sagittarius.
(Image: NASA)
Life Sciences in Space
Studies changes to the human body and other living organisms and how they adapt to zero-gravity conditions. This research has already led to treatments for people with muscular dystrophy.
The EVARM experiment makes it possible to measure the radiation doses to which astronauts are subject. The sketch shows the points on the astronaut's body on which dosimeters are placed. Experiment conducted by Thomson Nielson Electronics (ON), in
cooperation with CSA and NASA.
Space Exploration
Canadians contribute to space exploration in many different ways. Currently, the focus is on exploring Mars. Studying this planet will help us answer many questions on solar system formation, our Earth's formation, and, hopefully, the origins of life.
Canadrill, a Canadian-made drill,
is Canadian boring technology
adapted
for the Martian environment.
Microgravity
Includes the laws of physics and chemistry in zero-gravity conditions.
A vibration–isolation facility
in zero gravity that supports
other science facility payloads.
Human presence in space
Discovering
The Canadian Space Program ensures a human presence in space through three areas:
- Astronauts (short-term missions)
- International Space Station (long-term missions)
- Operational Space Medicine
Canada has a team of six astronauts from various fields (military, technical, medical, scientific). To become an astronaut, you must study science, engineering, medicine or mathematics.
It's true that few are chosen. But this document will open your eyes to many other career opportunities in the space industry.
The International Space Station is the result of the work of 15 countries, including Canada, responsible for supplying a space arm (remote manipulator). The International Space Station is a huge space laboratory where long-term research to develop new equipment or medical research can be conducted.
Operational Space Medicine is the term used to describe the various medical specialties required to make the human presence in space safe.
Space flight has an impact on the human body. It is important to mitigate the physical, mental and social effects. Living for a few months in an isolated, different environment, kilometres from Earth is certainly not always easy. Astronauts on space missions often serve as subjects of experiments intended to identify how human beings adapt to their conditions.
Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk during a
phase of Canadian research on space
motion sickness during the life sciences
and microgravity mission in July 1996.
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