Canadian Space Agency

RADARSAT Constellation Mission Costs Jump 67%

According to an Ottawa Citizen article published yesterday the projected costs of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) have jumped from $600 million to over $1 billion . The report with the current costs was obtained by the Citizen under the Access to Information law.

Canadian Space Agency

International Polar Year 2012 Speech by Steve MacLean - Strategic Infrastructure Theme Mentioned Again

Last Monday, April 23rd, Canadian Space Agency President Steve MacLean was the guest luncheon speaker at the International Polar Year 2012 conference being held in Montreal. Below is the transcript of that speech. Of note, MacLean once again referred to some of Canada's current and possible future satellites as "part of that (Canada) strategic infrastructure".

MDA

MDA Signs Amendment for Space Station Work Through March 2013

On the heels that Canada has officially signaled its intent to use the International Space Station (ISS) through 2020, MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) has announced a contract amendment with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Space Policy

Canada-Japan MOU Could Lead to Launch Agreements: JAXA Vice-President

While a recent agreement signed between Canada's and Japan's space agencies is an extension of previous work, a JAXA vice-president noted at the National Space Symposium that the two countries could collaborate on launch opportunities as a result of the memorandum of understanding (MOU).

Comets

Comet Lovejoy Survives Brush with the Sun

After grazing the Sun's corona at a distance of 120,000 km from the Sun's surface Comet Lovejoy emerged on the other side of the Sun still intact. Images supplied by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory.

NASA

NASA Wraps Up Ontario Snow Observing Research Campaign

For six weeks in Ontario, NASA scientists and engineers lead a field campaign to study the science and mechanics of falling snow. The datasets retrieved will be used to generate algorithms which translate what the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core satellite "sees" into precipitation rates, including that of falling snow. Ground validation science manager Walt Petersen gives a summary of the GCPEx field campaign. Field campaigns are critical in improving satellite observations and precipitation measurements. (Video: NASA)

Previous related story: The Science of Falling Snow, an introduction to this study with video.

Budget 2012

Canadian Space Sector Faces New Reality Post Budget

It should not have come as a surprise, after all everyone had been warned for months that the budget would see cuts. The fact that the government is spinning the cuts as "savings" still doesn't change the facts, this budget is a tough one for many and in particular the space sector.

Commercial Space

Canada Looks South for Increased Export Market at the National Space Symposium

With the prospect of a weaker domestic market for Canada's space sector companies, foreign markets become all that more important. Which is why this past week many Canadian companies trekked to Colorado Springs, Colorado for the annual National Space Symposium.

Commercial Space

Aerospace Review Executive Director to Speak at Canadian Space Commerce Association Meeting

Scott Streiner who was recently announced as the Executive Director of the Review of Aerospace and Space Programs and Policies or Aerospace Review, as its being called, will speak this Thursday in Toronto at the bimonthly meeting of the Canadian Space Commerce Association (CSCA).

Space Quarterly

Space Quarterly Magazine Chosen by the Canadian Space Society for its Members

April 20, 2012 - Toronto, Ontario - Space Quarterly magazine, a publication of the SpaceRef International Group, has been chosen as the magazine for the Canadian Space Society as a benefit to its members.

International Space Station

Aurora Borealis Over Canada

Amazing video of a night pass by the International Space Station (ISS) over Canada.
Visible are the cities of Vancouver and Seattle, the Rocky Mountains and the aurora borealis (or northern lights).

The images were taken on February 4. The snowy Canadian landscape was lit by a near Full Moon. Look for the Manicougan Crater in Quebec near the end of the video. This and other videos as well as the individual images which make up the video are available here.

RADARSAT-1

Canada's RADARSAT-1 to Fill in as ESA's Envisat Service Interrupted

The European Space Agency (ESA) lost contact this week with one of their key earth observation satellites, Envisat, which over its lifespan has provided data to more than 4000 projects in 70 countries. Under a provision with the Canadian Space Agency as part of the Canada - European Space Agency Cooperation Agreement, Canada will provide data from the RADARSAT-1 satellite to fill in the gap for some of ESA's customers.