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Canadian Space AgencyEstablished in March 1989, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) derives its authority from the Canadian Space Agency Act, enacted in December 1990. The CSA is committed to leading the development and application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity. Innovations in Canada's space sector are helping to promote a more competitive space industry, generate spin-off technologies here on Earth, 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 conventional methods of Earth-based operations. In collaboration with universities, industry, research and development centres, and other government agencies across Canada, the CSA contributes to further expanding leadership in areas of critical importance to Canada. Earth and EnvironmentThe Canadian Space Program contributes to better understanding, monitoring and predicting of the Earth's environment and global climate change, as well as to the enhancement of the management of natural resources and disasters. This is accomplished through the application of space-based technologies and research based on unique scientific data provided by Earth observation satellites. The major achievement in this line is without contest RADARSAT-1, used around the world, and most remarkably in disaster management. The new millennium will see the birth of its successor, RADARSAT-2. Human Presence in SpaceThis includes the Canadian Astronaut Program and the Operational Space Medicine Program. The Canadian Astronaut Program was established in 1983, when the United States invited Canada to fly an astronaut on its space shuttle. This invitation led to the creation of a permanent corps of Canadian astronauts to coordinate and conduct Canadian experiments in space. This service line is actively involved in the International Space Station project, with our astronauts contributing to its construction, and ground facilities training cosmonauts and astronauts in the use of the Mobile Servicing System, The Operational Space Medicine Program has a commitment to maintain and enhance Canadian expertise in space medicine in support of the participation of Canadians in the human exploration of space. Satellite CommunicationsThe Canadian Space Program supports the satellite communications industry in expanding the global information infrastructure. By doing this, it is helping Canada become the most connected nation in the world. Space TechnologiesThis comprises space technologies, spacecraft engineering, spacecraft payloads, technology management, software and ground segment and exploratory programs. Space technology programs are helping industry develop strategic technologies in specific niches, establish links with foreign firms, and improve access to international markets. One of our greatest achievements in space technology is the Canadarm, which is now followed by the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System and the Mobile Servicing System of the International Space Station. Space Qualification ServicesThe David Florida Laboratory (DFL) is Canada's world-class spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing centre, maintained and operated by the Canadian Space Agency. Operated on a fee-for-service basis, the DFL is available for use by Canadian and foreign aerospace and telecommunications companies and organizations for qualifying their hardware bound for space. Since its inception in 1972, the laboratory has supported a number of major projects. These projects include the Communications Technology Satellite (CTS, renamed HERMES); the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (CANADARM); BRASILSAT S1 and S2 communications satellites; the European Space Agency's Olympus communications satellite; Telesat Canada's ANIK C-, D-, and E-series communications satellites; the MSAT M1 and M2 mobile communications satellites; RADARSAT1, Canada's first Earth observation satellite, and INDOSTAR, an Indonesian communications satellite. Directorate of Spacecraft Engineering Fields of Research The Space Technologies Branch of the CSA is the functional centre for technical expertise in the development of advanced technologies for space applications. It is also mandated to lead the development of space technologies within the CSA, enhance Canadian industrial competitiveness, and support Canadian space programs. The Directorate of Spacecraft Engineering is one of two main technical divisions of the Space Technologies Branch. It is involved in a number of key technological thrusts in the following R&D areas: robotics and intelligent systems; modelling, simulation, and real-time implementation; advanced robot control; tele-operation and autonomous robotics and ground control of space robots; contact dynamics modelling, and identification of dynamics parameters; flexible manipulators; dynamic emulation of space robots on the ground, modular control, and feedback linearization controllers; robots for planetary exploration and R&D in the areas of spacecraft attitude control systems; smart structures; novel and classical controls; vibration and shape control of flexible space structures; space-based structures and testing technologies; lightweight, deployable/inflatable structures; advanced electro/optics; MEMS packaging technologies mechanisms; advanced polymeric and metal matrix composites; testing of materials in simulated space environments; smart materials; spacecraft thermal modelling and simulation technologies; and novel passive and active thermal technologies. Microsatellites DevelopmentThe directorate has well-equipped laboratories that support the robotics, controls, structures and materials, and thermal group R&D activities. Contact Dr. George Vukovich Directorate of Spacecraft Engineering Directorate of Spacecraft PayloadsFields of Research Optical, microwave, and electronic technologies for space applications; active and passive sensors for Earth observation, MMIC, antenna, power systems, power amplifier, microwave design, telemetry, onboard processing, image analysis, and data compression; intersatellite links and robot vision. Contact Dr. G. Séguin Directorate of Spacecraft Payloads Space Science DirectorateWithin the CSA, the Space Science Program is responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing Canada's space science activities. It provides opportunities for scientists and engineers to participate in state-of-the-art science and technology projects that are usually international in scope. These projects enable technology transfer and advance our understanding of space for the benefit of humanity. Space Science is committed to excellence in research, mentorship, and training, broad collaboration with leading scientists in Canada and internationally, and publication of original research in peer-reviewed journals. Successful VPF candidates will also be exposed to a number of exciting projects currently being implemented and gain valuable experience in the conduct of “big science.” Planetary Exploration and Space AstronomyPlanetary Exploration 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 in order to attempt to answer some of the scientific questions on the topics of life in the Solar System; geology and atmosphere of other planets; human exploration; asteroids and comets; and enabling technologies. Space Astronomy 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 studies on subjects ranging from the birth of new stars to cosmic background radiation. Among the astronomy projects led by CSA is MOST, a space telescope launched by Canada in 2003. Canada is also taking part in the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the successor to Hubble that is to be launched in 2012. The Planck Surveyor mission to be launched in 2007 is another astronomy mission with a role for Canada; it consists of an instrument that will chart the whole sky at mm-wave frequencies. Solar-Terrestrial and Atmospheric SciencesThe Solar-Terrestrial and Atmospheric Research (STAR) Group at the CSA has several active research scientists on staff and engages in close collaborations with a number of major research universities. The research interests of the group include solar physics, heliospheric physics, magnetospheric physics, ionospheric and thermospheric physics, middle atmospheric chemistry and dynamics (including ozone science), tropospheric chemistry (including air quality), and Sun-climate connection. 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 understand the impacts of underlying processes on both the environment and society. Over the last three decades, the CSA has supported more than 20 large experimental projects in the solar-terrestrial and atmospheric sciences, some of which have led to major scientific breakthroughs. Life and Physical Sciences in SpaceThe Life and Physical Sciences Directorate of the CSA uses the unique environment of space to better understand chemical and physical laws and life. The goal is to use this knowledge to make space travel safer and improve life on Earth. The space life sciences discipline brings together researchers to learn about life in space. 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; measuring space radiation and its effects on living things; and multicultural and isolation psychology in a space context. The reduced-gravity environment, technically called free-fall, 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, and surface tension. Materials science research in free-fall clarifies how buoyancy-driven convection and sedimentation affect the solidification of materials and enhances the study of diffusion and surface kinetics. Finally, certain studies of combustion processes and flame propagation can be done that are difficult or impossible to study on Earth. Contacts http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/sciences Planetary Exploration and Space AstronomyAlain Berinstain Solar Terrestrial and Atmospheric Sciences Réjean Michaud Life and Physical SciencesNicole Buckley Space Science Directorate |
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