Canadian Space Agency Awards 26 R&D Contracts
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Canada isn’t known for space launch technologies. It does have a satellite industry, and is the origin of both the American Space Shuttle’s robotic “Canadarm” and the International Space Station’s Mobile Servicing System (MSS) that includes Canadarm-2 with Dextre et. al. In line with this focus as a respected components manufacturer, The Canadian Space Agency recently announced an investment of CDN$ 10.3 million (currently about $8.7 million) in 36 research and development projects involving new space technologies and applications.
The investments support Canada’s leadership position in niche markets such as robotics, remote sensing both within and beyond space platforms, satellite communication components, and radar; and for making groundbreaking technologies market-ready. Areas covered include hyperspectral sensors, tunable on-orbit microwave filters, micro-motors, intelligent optimization emulator for multiple spot-beam bandwidth management with quality of service, multiple bandwidth and Q0S projects, planetary exploration sensors, more flexible mechanical tools, navigation and control including formation flight, etc.
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Their backgrounder page has a full list of companies and projects, with 19 projects based in the province of Ontario, 14 in Quebec, and 1 project each in Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Alberta. Canada-UK firm COM DEV International Ltd. in Cambridge, Ontario was the big organizational winner, with 6 contracts totaling about CDN$ 2.35 million.
