Canadian Space Agency

Canadian Space Agency to Announce Milestone Astronaut Mission Tomorrow

The Canadian Space Agency announced this morning that they will hold a press conference tomorrow to announce an important mission for one of Canada's astronauts. It is expected that the Canadian Space Agency will announce that veteran Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield will be introduced as the first Canadian Commander of an expedition to the International Space Station.

Dextre

Meet Canada's Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator or Dextre for Short

Call it an orbiting Edward Scissorhands. Although Dextre's first major robotic work on the International Space Station this month was delayed due to a snagged truss, both the Canadian Space Agency and NASA anticipate it will replace spacewalkers for minor outside tasks during and after the station's construction.

Launched in 2008 aboard STS-123, the Canadian robotic hand - built by MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates in Brampton, Ont. - was initially designed for astronauts to operate from inside the station.

Radarsat Constellation

The CSA Issues RADARSAT Next Generation Options Study for the Department of Defence

Today the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) issued through the tender service MERX a request for two separate firms to carry out a study on the RADARSAT Next Generation Options Study. The primary objective of the study work is to perform an in-depth evaluation of the Department of Defence (DND) requirements for surveillance radars and identify implementation options in a system that would enter into operation after the initial deployment of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) is a $497 million program which will tentatively launch three Earth-observation satellites between 2014 and 2015 and is follow-on to the successful Radarsat-1 and Radarsat-2 programs.

Canadian Space Agency

The Canadian Space Agency on Twitter 2 Comments

You won't find an official Canadian Space Agency (CSA) account on Twitter or any other social media network either, unless you count a rarely updated YouTube account. That does not mean you won't the CSA mentioned on social media sites like Twitter on a daily basis. And if you're familiar with Twitter you know that topics can be organized by including a hash tag with a tweet. For instance the most popular hash tag for the World Cup is #worldcup. So if I tweeted "Sad to see Germany lost to Spain #worldcup", then anyone who follows that hash tag would see my tweet. The CSA has no set hash tag but it would be useful if it did. For that reason we've created a poll to see what the community thought should be the CSA hash tag.

Moon Rover

Canadian Space Agency Issues RFP for Moon Rover Prototypes

The Canadian Space Agency today issued a call for proposals to build two Lunar Exploration Light Rover (LELR) prototypes at maximum cost of $11 million per rover. Up to two contracts will be awarded with each contract requiring a prototype to be built. Only one contract will be awarded per bidder. Proposals are due by August 17th.

International Space Station

Canadian Space Agency Ponders Purchasing Soyuz Ride

In an article posted on Spaceflight Now Gilles Leclerc, Director General of Space Technologies at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) confirms that the International Space Station (ISS) partners have contacted Russia about purchasing an additional Soyuz spacecraft, potentially one new flight per year between 2013 and 2016. Currently an additional seat on a Soyuz costs $56 million based on the last contract signed by the U.S.

Canadian Space Agency

Canadian Space Agency Awards Concept Studies for Planetary Missions

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced today that it has awarded two contracts to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) and one to the University of Calgary for concepts studies for Canada's participation in NASA's New Frontiers program. Each of the contracts is valued at $500,000.

Canadian Space Agency Watch

Canadian Veteran Astronaut Chris Hadfield Slotted as Expedition 35 Commander

Veteran astronaut Chris Hadfield has been apparently slotted in as the International Space Station Expedition 35 Commander according to sources. This is something of a surprise as Canada was not expected to have another long duration stay until 2015. Hadfield becomes the first Canadian to be selected as an Expedition Commander.

Canadian Space Agency

Canadian Robotic Technology to Install Mini Research Module-1 on STS-132 Mission

Watch how the Shuttle's Canadarm and Canadarm2 will work together on Flight Day 5 to install the Russian-built Mini Research Module-1 (MRM-1), which will mark the first time the Station's robotic arm installs a Russian module on the International Space Station.

Canadian Space Agency

CSA Astronaut Chris Hadfield's Tribute to Atlantis

Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Chris Hadfield flew on board Atlantis's maiden voyage in 1985. This is his tribute to Atlantis as it makes its final flight.

Canadian Space Agency

Final Flight of Atlantis has Large Canadian Element

While there has been a great emphasis on the fact that currently STS-132 will be the final flight of the space shuttle Atlantis, there is another almost forgotten aspect of this mission - the Canadian aspect. This mission will be utilizing many Canadian elements.

Mars Rover

Canadian Space Agency Gives Green Light to Build Prototype Mars Rover

The Canadian Space Agency yesterday issued a request for proposals for a $6 million Mars Exploration Science Rover (MESR) prototype as part of their Exploration Surface Mobility (ESM) program. The due date for proposals is June 8 and work must be completed by the end of December 2012.

Canadian Space Agency Watch

Canadian Space Agency Reorganization Underway

The federal government on March 25th released the 2010-2011 Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Report on Plans and Priorities. The report indicates that in anticipation of Cabinet and Treasury Board approval of the Long Term Space Plan (LTSP), a reorganization is underway. The much anticipated 10 year LTSP would begin to be implemented this year as soon as the government approves the plan.

International Space Station

Space Agency Heads Discuss Extending Space Station Lifespan to 2028

Today in Tokyo the leaders of the space agencies from Canada, Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States met to discuss the future of the International Space Station (ISS). The space station is nearing completion and the group noted there are no technical constraints to continue operations beyond 2015 to 2020 and possibly 2028. Extending the lifespan of the station to 2028 is a matter of certifying the on-orbit elements, something the ISS partners are currently doing.

Canadian Space Agency Watch

Ottawa Citizen - Right Message - Wrong on Facts in Article on Canadian Space Agency 3 Comments

The Ottawa Citizen article "Rocket Science" which appeared in yesterday's paper was over simplified and got even some of the basic facts wrong.

I do however agree with the message of the article that the Government, and in particular Minister of Industry Tony Clement, needs to be proactive and release a new Long Term Space Plan for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Canadian Space Agency

RADARSAT-2 Image of City of Port-au-Prince, Haiti

The Canadian Space Agency has released the following RADARSAT-2 image showing specific locations in and around the capital city Port-au-Prince. The epicenter of the quake was just 15 kilometers from the capital and only 10 kilometers deep.

Hydrogenics Corporation

Hydrogenics Picked for Next Generation Lunar Mobility Power System

Hydrogenics of Mississauga has been picked by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to provide a next generation lunar mobility power system. Lunar mobility systems is one of the key technology areas the CSA has targeted going forward. Mobility systems would be one area of expertise the CSA would provide to international partners in future moon exploration and is part of the next long term space place the CSA has yet to release.

Canadian Space Agency Watch

Canadian Space Agency Releases Report from the 6th Canadian Space Exploration Workshop

In December 2008 members of the Canadian space community gathered in Montreal for the 6th Canadian Space Exploration Workshop (CSEW6) sponsored and hosted by the Canadian Space Agency. The report, dated May 30, 2009, was released to the public today.

Canadian Space Agency Watch

CSA Seeks Request for Information for ESA's 1st Semester 2010 Technology Harmonization Process

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) today issued a Request for Information (RFI) to Canadian organizations involved in space technology development and/or research in Canada to provide comments on technical information stemming from the European Space Agency's (ESA) 1st Semester 2010 Technology Harmonization process led by ESA's Technology Harmonization Advisory Group (THAG), where the CSA represents the Canadian delegation.

Canadian Space Agency Watch

Canadian Space Agency Supports Prize Competitions

Earlier this fall John Chapman of White Rock, BC, a semi-retired mining expert who is also a strong proponent of commercializing space wrote to Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President Steve MacLean about the creation of prizes to accelerate space related technology. Last week he received a positive response.

Launch

A Rocket to Call Our Own? Canadian Space Agency Explores the Business Case

The steadily increasing cost of micro satellite launch services has reached the point that the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is seriously considering the development of an indigenous launch system. In late November they issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a strategic analysis of the market.

Canadian Space Agency

Living in Space Exhibit Coming to a City Near You

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) aims to troubadour through venues across the country, spreading information about what it is like to live on the International Space Station, courtesy of a $1.25-million solicitation it awarded to Expographiq (aka Crecan International Ltd.) in late November for an exhibit called "Living in Space".

Canadian Space Agency

Soyuz Leaves International Space Station and Lands Safely in Kazakhstan

Canadian Space Agency Flight Engineer Robert Thirsk, Expedition 21 Flight Engineer and Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko and European Space Agency Flight Engineer Frank De Winne undocked their Soyuz spacecraft from the station at 10:56 p.m. EST Monday and landed in Kazakhstan at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, 1:15 p.m. local Kazakhstan time. The Soyuz spacecraft landed upright which helped the search and recovery teams extract the astronauts.

Canadian Space Agency

Return to Earth - Op-Ed by Canadian Astronaut Robert Thirsk

Six months aboard the International Space Station has flown by at orbital speed. If asked to do so, I could remain aboard the Station and continue to perform well. But I feel a fatigue setting in that even weekends and a good night's sleep cannot relieve. It is now time to return home.

Canadian Space Agency

After Six Months in Space Canadian Astronaut Robert Thirsk Returns to Earth Next Week

Next Tuesday Robert Thirsk will return to Earth on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft ending his six month stay on the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 21. In his last week in space he will be very busy with ongoing experiments but will no doubt have time to reflect on the past six months and among those thoughts will be the realization that this is most likely his last time in space.

Canadian Space Agency

Space Shuttle Atlantis Launches with Canadian APEX Experiment on Board

NASA's space shuttle Atlantis lifted-off today at 2:28 p.m. ET on an 11-day mission to service the the International Space Station (ISS). On-board the shuttle is the Canadian APEX-Cambium (Advanced Plant EXperiments on Orbit) experiment. The experiment will help determine the role gravity plays in trees forming different kinds of wood.

Canadian Space Agency

Details of Canadian Space Agency Research and Development Contracts Released

Earlier today Federal Minister of Industry Tony Clement today announced that the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded 26 research and development contracts to 15 companies worth a total of $8 million for the CSA Space Technologies Development Program. Details of those contracts have now been released. Two companies received the majority of the funding with MPB Communications Inc. of Pointe-Claire, Quebec receiving five contracts worth $1,599,995.00 and MDA of Brampton, Ontario and
Richmond, British Columbia receiving three contracts worth $1,3 million.

Canadian Space Agency

Canadian Space Agency Awards 26 Research and Development Contracts

Federal Minister of Industry Tony Clement today announced that the Canadian Space Agency has awarded 26 research and development contracts to 15 companies worth a total of $8 million.

Canadian Space Agency

Remembrance Day Thoughts from Space by Canadian Astronaut Robert Thirsk

Orbiting the Earth on the International Space Station, Canadian astronaut Robert shares his thoughts this Remembrance Day.

Canadian Space Agency

Canadian Space Sector Revenues Reach $2.79 Billion on 17.8% Growth

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) released it's 2008 State of the Canadian Space Sector report today which was prepared by its Policy and External Relations Directorate. According to the report the Canadian space sector employed 6,742 people in 2008 with increasing revenues to $2.79 billion which is a 17.8% increase over the previous year.

Canadian Space Agency Watch

Who Knew? Canadian Space Agency Space Exploration Advisory Committee Meets 3 Comments

This week in Montreal the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Space Exploration Advisory Committee (SEAC) is holding one of its periodic meetings and you could have attended the open session except for the fact that no one knew about the meeting other than the CSA and SEAC members. Why is that?

MDA

The Canadian Space Agency Selects MDA to Develop NextGen Technology for Exploration

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) announced today that they had secured a $46 million contract from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to develop next generation technologies and prototypes for future space exploration missions which could include Lunar and Martian orbital missions. As well, MDA will develop technologies for servicing spacecraft in Earth orbit. The contract also includes options for an additional $4 million of prototypes.

Canadian Space Agency

Canadian Space Agency Releases Analogue Missions Request for Proposals

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has released, through the public tendering service MERX, a request for proposals (RFP) to plan and execute Analogue Missions. Analogue Missions are simulations of space mission operations that take place at analogue sites on Earth; these can also be thought of as Integrated field tests. Sites that are presently used for analogue missions include Devon Island in Nunavut, Pavilion Lake in British Columbia and Axel Heiberg on Elsemere Island in Nunavut.

Canadian Space Agency

Canada in the US Human Spaceflight Plans Committee Report

Canada is mentioned five times in the US Human Spaceflight Plans Committee Report. Three are general references to Canada's participation in the space station Freedom and the International Space Station. The other mentions are more significant.

International Space Station

Canadian Astronauts Access to the ISS Will Continue After Shuttle is Retired

The US space program is scheduled to fly its last Space Shuttle mission late next year meaning Canada's astronauts will have to ride a Russian Soyuz rocket if they are to visit the International Space Station (ISS). The Russians have been charging space tourists $35 million US of late and will be charging the US space program $51 million US per flight starting in 2016 to fly on a Soyuz.

Canadian Space Agency

Canada Celebrates 25 Year of Human Presence in Space

On October 5, 1984 astronaut Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space as he was aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on STS-41G. A quarter of a century later another 8 Canadians have flown into space for a total of 16 flights including the current mission by space participant Guy Laliberté.

Canada's newest astronauts Jeremy Hansen and David St-Jacques are undergoing training and have yet to be assigned to future missions.

Canadian Space Agency

Controlled Fire in Alberta as Seen from Space

This photo was taken by Canadian astronaut Bob Thirsk from the International Space Station and shows smoke plumes caused by controlled fires set in the mountains near Canmore, Alberta.

Canadian Space Agency

Canadarm2 Successfully Captures Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle

American flight engineer Nicole Stott using Canada's Canadarm2 on the International Space Station today captured the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV). The Japanese HTV is an unmanned spacecraft used to resupply the Kibō Japanese Experiment Module and the rest of the International Space Station (ISS).

Canadian Space Agency

Canadian Textiles in Space for Radiation Protection

Dr. Nicole Buckley, Director of Life and Physical Sciences at the Canadian Space Agency, sees opportunities for the Canadian textile industry in space. Dr. Buckley will be presenting a paper entitled "A New niche for Canadian textiles - in space!" at the Expo Hightex in Montreal on October 8th. The focus would be on radiation protection and mitigation of the negative effects of spaceflight.

Canadian Space Agency

Canadian Space Agency Posts Two More Requests for Proposals to MERX

The Canadian Space Agency released two more requests for proposals (RFP's) today bringing the total to 10 RFP's released in the just over a week. The two new RFP's are for a Miniaturized Drill Prototype for Lunar Exploration and a Combined Active and Passive Vision System for Localisation, Navigation and Visual Servicing.

Canadian Space Agency

Canadarm2 to Make a Cosmic Catch

On Thursday between 3:50 - 3:55 p.m eastern time, assuming all goes well, Canada's Canadarm2 on the International Space Station will capture the Japanese H-II Transfer Vehicle (HTV). The Japanese HTV is an unmanned spacecraft used to resupply the Kibō Japanese Experiment Module and the rest of the International Space Station (ISS). You can watch the event on the Canadian Space Agency web site or on NASA TV and later that evening look up and get a view of the space station.

Canadian Space Agency

Rover Technologies Outlined in Canadian Space Agency Contracts

A lunar or Martian rover appears to be among the priorities that will eventually be outlined in Canada's Long-Term Space Plan, a planning tool the Canadian Space Agency says it has been working to complete during the past year.

That information emerged from a series of CSA tenders - collectively worth at least $9.75 million - issued these past few weeks on Merx, a Canadian contracting system that mainly deals with federal procurement. One of the contracts had no dollar value attached to it.

Canadian Space Agency

Canadian Space Agency and NASA Sign Agreement

Former astronauts Steve MacLean of the Canadian Space Agency and Charles Bolden of NASA, heads of their respective space agencies, signed a Framework Agreement in Washington today.

Canadian Space Agency

One Hundred Days in Space

I haven't driven a car in three months, and yet I've traveled 70 million kilometers. I've watched 16 sunrises and sunsets in a single day. I've sipped coffee out of a bag through a straw, and squeezed macaroni and cheese from a package into my mouth. I've conducted many scientific and medical experiments. I've welcomed extraterrestrial friends to my home and bid them farewell. I've helped repair a toilet, as well as a carbon dioxide scrubber, and an oxygen generator.