ARCHIVED - Canadian Space Agency

Enhance Canadian industry's technological base and provide access to European markets for value added products and services principally in the field of Earth Observation (EO) and Satellite Communications; allow the participation of Canadian academia; and, make possible the demonstration of Canadian space technologies in European science and exploration missions.

Environment and Sustainable Development: A Space Program that helps Canada understand and protect the environment, and develop its resources in a sustainable manner.

Knowledge, Innovation and Economy: A Space Program that generates knowledge and pushes innovation, while leading (where appropriate) to increased productivity and economic growth through commercialization.

Sovereignty and Security: A Space Program that supports recognition of Canada's sovereignty and the security of its communities.

Expected Results (Program Activity Level)

Space Based Earth Observation: Delivery, directly or in partnership, of Space Based EO data, products and services in response to operational and scientific user requirements in the field of Environment, Resource and Land Use Management, and Security and Foreign Policy, supported by access capacity development.

Space Science and Exploration: Increased participation in Canadian and international opportunities in order to expand the scientific knowledge base made available to Canadian academia and R&D communities in astronomy, space exploration and solar-terrestrial relation as well as physical and life sciences.

Satellite Communications:
1) Increased access for Canadians to state-of-the-art communications systems and services to meet their social and economic needs.

2) Better use of space communications, search and rescue, and global navigation satellite systems and applications to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of other government departments and organizations in delivering services to Canadians.

Generic Space Activities in support of EO, SE and SC: Innovative space technologies, techniques, and design and test methodologies in response to advanced developments required for future space missions and activities.

Successful development and demonstration of advanced technologies, systems, components, and studies provided for in the contracts awarded by ESA to Canadian firms under the following ESA EO programs: ENVISAT, EOEP/ EOPP, Earth Watch GMES, TerraSar, and Aurora.

Successful development and demonstration of advanced technologies, systems, components, and studies provided for in the contracts awarded by ESA to Canadian firms under the following ESA Telecommunications programs: ARTES 1,3,5,9, Artemis and GalileoSat.

Increased utilization of data obtained from ESA on markets and Earth Observation/Telecommunications technologies as strategic information for government departments, agencies and industries in Canada.

Demonstration of space-qualified technologies and products developed by Canadian firms for the space exploration markets.

Development of new alliances and/or strengthening of established alliances between Canadian and European companies, to diversify Canada's international space partnerships and complement its long-standing relationship with the U.S.

Actual Accomplishments:

Several technologies and skills have been developed and improved through the participation of Canadian companies in ESA programs. Some businesses have integrated these technologies into products, allowing them to sell these products in other than European markets. In addition to generating revenues, the development and improvement of space technologies also created or maintained specialized jobs. In addition, specialized skills were created in the areas of space hardware, ground segment, and space technology applications.

The program served to boost the visibility of Canada in European markets. Canadian contractors see the ESA Contribution program as a means of cultivating business relationships. The program also fosters regional development and access to other markets by virtue of the successes of companies in Europe. Furthermore, Canada expanded its knowledge and technology in fields such as weather and ice movement forecasting, Earth Observation data, satellite communications technologies, environmental monitoring and security.

The additional contribution to ESA served to increase Canada's participation in the Advanced Research Telecommunication System (ARTES) in the amount of $6.4 million ($2.64 million approved in 2006-2007 Supplementary Estimates and $3.96 million to be paid in 2007-2008). The ARTES is part of an ESA flagship Telecommunications program whose objective is to support the R&D efforts of the European and Canadian industry in the area of Satellite Communications, serving in particular to define, assess and promote the use of satellites for advanced fixed, broadcasting, multimedia and mobile communications, data relay, search and rescue, navigation, and aeronautical services.

This increase is made in accordance with the objectives and terms and conditions of the 2000-2009 Canada/ESA Cooperation Agreement. The Canadian industry (like that of other member states) is awarded contracts for the implementation of ESA optional programs in direct proportion to Canada's financial contributions to ESA.

Canada is well thought of by Europeans, as the 28 years of cooperation between ESA and Canada clearly demonstrate. Canadian companies have made a significant contribution to the many technologies developed in the areas of Earth Observation and Satellite Communications.

Several businesses have developed business relationships with Europe thanks to the Agreement, and all stakeholders in the program agree that these relationships could continue, provided that Canada maintains its financial contribution to ESA. Canadian businesses have cultivated alliances with each other to benefit from or facilitate access to European markets through ESA programs under the Agreement.

The program helps diversify and open markets and aids in the achievement of objectives under the Canadian Space Strategy respecting Earth Observation and Satellite Communications. However, it does not lead to the transfer of technologies as much as to the exchange of information on technologies.

Small and medium-sized companies have difficulty taking part in ESA programs and require greater support, not only to access these markets, but also to develop expertise so that they can continue doing business in these markets after their initial participation in ESA programs.

Source: Evaluation of the Canada/ESA Cooperation Agreement http://www.espace.gc.ca/asc/eng/resources/publications/
er-0405-0202.asp

Support the integration of two payloads on a single generic Canadian small satellite bus the CASCADE telecommunications Ka-band component and the enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP) scientific instrument.

Environment and Sustainable Development: A Space Program that helps Canada understand and protect the environment, and develop its resources in a sustainable manner.

Knowledge, Innovation and Economy: A Space Program that generates knowledge and pushes innovation, while leading (where appropriate) to increased productivity and economic growth through commercialization.

Sovereignty and Security: A Space Program that supports recognition of Canada's sovereignty and the security of its communities.

Expected Results (Program Activity Level)

Satellite Communications:
1) Increased access for Canadians to state-of-the-art communications systems and services to meet their social and economic needs.

2) Better use of space communications, search and rescue, and global navigation satellite systems and applications to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of other government departments and organizations in delivering services to Canadians.

Space Science and Exploration: Increased participation in Canadian and international opportunities in order to expand the scientific knowledge base made available to Canadian academia and R&D communities in astronomy, space exploration and solar-terrestrial relation as well as physical and life sciences.

Development and demonstration of the CASCADE Ka-band telecommunications payload designed and built by Canadian companies. CASCADE is the precursor of communication satellite constellations that will help position the Canadian industry on the international market as a supplier of advanced components and a service provider.

Development of a small Canadian scientific satellite, the enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e-POP), which will probe the upper atmosphere and ionosphere region where solar variability influences global change in various time scales.

Development of a generic Canadian small satellite bus that could also be used for future Canadian missions.

Continued manufacture of the Cascade payload and preparation for assembly, integration and test in the spacecraft. Continued manufacture of e-POP instruments, data handling units and booms. Planned payload assembly and test and integration into the spacecraft. Continued manufacture, test and integration of the generic small satellite.

CASSIOPE: Program delays due to problems with the development of critical components (DSU, C&DH) and the move of the launch date from December 2007 to November 2008. After detailed reviews of all the mission components, the schedule and milestones were modified to fit the new program schedule and launch date and the cash flow projections were adjusted accordingly.

EPOP: The additional funding for ePOP was necessitated by the extension of the CASSIOPE schedule and slippage of the launch date, which are beyond the control of the University of Calgary. The schedule extension will require the University of Calgary to stretch instrument development, assembly and test to fit the extended CASSIOPE schedule and maintain the project development teams at the universities and in industry for a longer period. The integration of ePOP with the CASSIOPE spacecraft is MDA's responsibility, and will be performed at Bristol in Winnipeg and at the David Florida Lab in Ottawa. Synchronization of all program elements and activities, including the ePOP payload development, integration and test, is critical for success.

Significant Audit & Evaluation Findings and URL (s) to the Last Audit and / or Evaluation: None