1. How did Canada become involved?

In 1982 Canada was invited to participate in a proposed US-led space station program. Also invited to join the effort were Europe (European Space Agency) and Japan (NASDA).

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) commissioned a study of the country's industrial and research capacity to participate in ISS construction and utilization. Based on the finding of that study, Canada made a formal decision to join the program in 1984.

Canada proposed to contribute a sophisticated on-orbit servicing facility, the Mobile Servicing System (MSS). The MSS would include a new generation space "arm", a follow-up to the highly successful Canadarm, which is standard equipment on all US space shuttles. The prime industry contractor was Spar Aerospace Limited. The Canadarm project put Canada in a international leadership position in space robotics.

2. Who are the international partners?

The partners in the International Space Station (ISS) are the US, Russia, Canada, 11 European countries and Japan. The United States is responsible for the overall management of the ISS project. The US will contribute the Russian-built Functional Cargo Block (FGB in Russian), a laboratory module, and much of the ISS physical infrastructure. The European Space Agency is developing the Columbus Orbital Facility (COF) - a pressurized laboratory - and its accompanying facilities for Integration and Control, and Payload Operations. Japan is constructing a Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), which will consist of a pressurized laboratory and an external payload facility.

In 1993 the Russian Federation was invited to join the endeavour and an interim agreement was signed. Russia will be contributing a service module, which includes living quarters for the three crew members, as well as power generating equipment and station-keeping thrusters that will maintain ISS at the proper altitude. Russia is also supplying - under contract of the US - a Space tug, and Crew Recovery Vehicule; as well as use of Russian launch vehicles, launch sites, and mission control facilities.

3. What is Canada's role?

Canada's Space Station Program will contribute the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) to the ISS. The MSS consists of equipment and facilities located both on the space station and on the ground.

The on-station elements include Canadarm2 (or Space Station Remote Manipulator System, SSRMS) - a sophisticated space "arm" - and its Mobile Remote Servicer Base System (MBS). Canada will also be providing the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM), a robotic "hand" that works in conjunction with Canadarm2. Like the human hand, the SPDM can manipulate delicate objects. When in use, the SPDM is attached to the end of the arm. It will be used to assemble and maintain the station, and to service payloads. For example, astronauts and cosmonauts can use the SPDM to remove or replace components on the Space Station, and to monitor cargos. The CSA is also working on the Canadian Space Vision System (CSVS), which astronauts and cosmonauts will use to support Canadarm2 operations with large objects.

The MSS is critical ISS equipment. It is needed to construct the station and to maintain it once it is commissioned. Use of the MSS will reduce the amount of time that astronauts and cosmonauts are required to spend working outside the ISS in the hostile space environment.

The Canadian Space Station Program includes sophisticated facilities on the ground. The ground-based segment is the MSS Operations Complex (MOC), which is located at the CSA headquarters in Saint-Hubert, Quebec. The MOC is used to plan missions, monitor the health of the arm, and to train astronauts and cosmonauts.

Controllers will use the MOC to plan complex Canadarm2 manoeuvres, before they are put into action on the Space Station. They will also monitor the health of the MSS and its complex hardware and software systems. Space Station astronauts and cosmonauts from many countries will visit the MOC to learn about the MSS and how to operate it in the rigours of space. Four have already graduated.

4. What are the other aspects of Canada's Space Station Program?

Microgravity and Life Sciences Program

By contributing the Mobile Servicing System (MSS) to the Space Station, Canada gains the right to use the Station for scientific research and technological development. To ensure we have the capacity to make use of this sophisticated orbiting laboratory, right from the start the Canadian Space Agency established a Microgravity and Life Sciences Program. Their role is to give researchers in industry and universities experience in designing and building experiments and equipment for space. Researchers compete against one another for experimental time in sophisticated facilities around the world that simulate the microgravity environment of space. These programs also provide funding for training and equipment development needed for research in space. As a result, Canada will have a research and industrial community ready to utilize the Space Station from the outset.

Strategic Technologies for Automation and Robotics (STEAR)

The Space Agency's MSS (Mobile Servicing System) and STEAR programs are actively transferring Space Station technology to firms in many different industries. STEAR was established in 1987 as the research and development component of the Canadian Space Station Program. STEAR supports industry-led projects to develop dual-use automation and robotic technology for use in space and on Earth.

The STEAR Program was established to encourage the participation of Canadian companies, universities, and research organizations in automation and robotic technologies important for the evolution of the Mobile Servicing System (MSS). The STEAR Program's specific objectives are to:

	Identify for development advanced strategic technologies which offer potential for incorporation into the evolutionary design of the MSS;
	Support research and development of selected technologies in the private sector, until proof-of-concept is demonstrated;
	Facilitate national distribution of information and enhancement of capabilities of STEAR-related technologies by encouraging the collaboration and networking of industries, universities, and non-profit research organizations;
	Promote commercial exploitation of the strategic technologies developed within the program by joining STEAR contractors to the MSS prime contractor/team and to government programs which support future product development and marketing;
	Ensure the regional distribution of STEAR development activities across Canada;
	Maximize the productivity of the Space Station's resources;
	Minimize the costs associated with ongoing operations;
	Minimize Extravehicular Activities by the Space Station's flight crew;
	Maximize the longevity of MSS materials and structures to minimize MSS maintenance requirements over its service life.

5. What are the expected benefits?

The Canadian Space Agency is committed to leading the development and application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and Humanity. The Space Agency's MSS and STEAR programs are actively working with firms to develop dual-use technologies that can be applied on Earth and in space. Companies are already adapting space station technology to capture opportunities on the ground. Sensitive space arm tactile technology is being modified to control prosthetic hands for children. Space vision technology has been adapted to improve agricultural spraying and minimize the use of pesticides. Space arm hardware and software are now part of robotic devices used to clean up radioactive and toxic waste storage sites. These are only a few examples of how technology developed for space is being successfully applied to other industries and products.

A principal objective of the Canadian Space Station Program (CSSP) is to generate socio-economic benefits. One study has projected that SSP will increase GDP by $6.4 billion (1989 dollars) and result in 70,000 person-years of employment. Of this total, $2.7 billion of GDP and 32,000 person-years of employment were generated in the period 1986-1996. Increased exports of Canadian goods and services will account for about $1.3 billion of the $2.7 billion.

To find out about the everyday benefits of Canada's activities in space, visit our Everyday Benefits section