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Research funder · Canada

Canadian Space Agency

Space agency of Canada

asc-csa.gc.ca/eng

Grants since 2016
1 290
Awarded, last 5 years (where amounts are published)
CAD 281.3M
Funded works, last 5 years
2 059
Funded works, all time
7 487

Grants

2018 · research

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) support a wide range of civilian and military applications and have become indispensable in precise positioning and time keeping. As our society depends increasingly on space technologies, and as our environment affects our daily life more than ever before, solar-terrestrial interactions and their impact on the geo-space environment have become increasingly relevant to Canada's economy and society. Understanding these interactions will enable us to pred

University of New Brunswick

CAD 198k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

The use of electric orbit raising, instead of chemical propulsion, after launch and separation of the satellite from the launcher to reach the geostationary orbit allows reducing propellant mass, and therefore increasing the maximum allowable spacecraft dry mass. However, today's existing electric propulsion pointing systems are limited in their degrees of freedom and are available at a high price. MDA will develop the Three Axis Deployable Stationary Plasma Thruster Module (TSM), allowing an i

Macdonald, Dettwiler And Associates Corporation

CAD 1.8M

2018–2023 · research · CSA Class G&C Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

SMILE-UVI Science Maturation

The Governors Of The University Of Calgary

CAD 500k

2018 · research

Space radiation has damaging effects on human deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a molecule essential for biological function, acting as the genetic code for all life. This challenge has been well documented, but the effectiveness of DNA repair and replication pathways in a zero-gravity environment has yet to be investigated. As we prepare for long-duration missions, there is a need to address this problematic. This project aims to investigate the function of the DNA polymerase I, an enzyme involved

Queen's University

CAD 14.7k

2018 · research

Access to space is of critical importance to a broad range of fields of science and industry, including space exploration and telecommunications. However, launching remains a complex and expensive task. There is a need to reduce the cost of access to space by finding novel means of propulsion. The purpose of this project is to develop a simple and low-cost mean to test how liquefying solid fuels burn under the conditions encountered in a hybrid rocket engine. A novel laboratory-scale facility

Polytechnique Montréal

CAD 200k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Light detection and ranging (lidar) sensors are essential tools used for a variety of tasks such as terrestrial topographic mapping, navigation and docking in space, and landings on planets or asteroids. Teledyne has proposed to develop a compact array sensor. The improved lidar system will reduce the size and weight of the equipment, while increasing the range, coverage rate, and resolution of mapping technologies.

Teledyne Optech Inc.

CAD 1.6M

2018 · research

The main objectives of this project are to develop a mini plasma imager, which is a miniaturized particle sensor designed to measure ionized winds and temperatures from nanosatellites; and train students in experimental space physics. This project will increase scientific knowledge of the physics of Earth's magnetic cusp region, which will lead to better space weather forecasts. A concrete application that could derive from this project is a flight of the mini plasma imager on a nanosatellite mi

University of Calgary

CAD 200k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

The Command & Data Handling (C&DH) unit is a satellite's control centre, providing the spacecraft platform with control and monitoring of all subsystems. With the increase in demand for smaller platforms and constellations, more compact and capable C&DH units are required. As a result, a significant amount of innovation is needed to combine all of the necessary functions into a smaller, more compact unit. MDA will develop new portions of the C&DH unit, while creating innovative methods to reduc

Macdonald, Dettwiler And Associates Corporation

CAD 1.8M

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Computer processors have increased in power dramatically over the last several years. This means that processing functions that used to require dedicated hardware can now be handled by much simpler hardware, such as the Central Processing Unit (CPU) found in a typical general-purpose computer. Square Peg Communications will adapt signal processing operations fundamental to satellite communications so that they no longer require specialized hardware. This approach will allow for a less costly a

Square Peg Communications Inc.

CAD 584.8k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Tracking, Telemetry and Control (TT&C) systems monitor satellite functionality, determine the satellite's location and control the satellite's behaviour. It is a required technology on all satellites, regardless of their application. As the market for communications satellites grows, regulators of the operating frequency bands have encountered challenges regarding the range of the usable band spectrum for navigation, communication, and Earth observation payloads. Orbital Research will develop

Orbital Research Ltd.

CAD 200k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Directing intelligent efforts in the fight against climate change demands more and more accurate climate critical data. Calibration blackbodies in infrared Earth observation instruments help ensure the accuracy of radiometric measurements, which can be used to reveal changes over time in our atmosphere and landscape. This project will evaluate and validate two new technologies that could greatly improve the radiometric accuracy of calibration blackbodies.

Abb Inc.

CAD 130.8k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Space-based laser communication technologies offer significant reductions in size, mass and power compared to other space-based telecommunications technology, while increasing the capacity for high-speed, data-rich transmissions. This means that incredibly data-intensive payloads can be flown on even smaller spacecraft. Neptec will develop a prototype of a low-Earth-orbit-to-ground optical communication pointing and tracking subsystem. The prototype will provide critical insight into technical

Neptec Design Group Ltd.

CAD 199.8k

2018 · research

Modern planetary rovers and orbital instruments generate multiple data products. However, data transmission capacity from space to Earth is currently limited. This can result in observations not being made and experiments not being performed because there is no bandwidth available to get the data back to Earth. In order to maximize the return from field explorations, rovers and satellites of the future will need the ability to make independent decisions about what to explore and transmit prelimi

Western University

CAD 199.7k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

With advances in miniaturization of electronics, new materials and new manufacturing methods, significant space missions that were once the exclusive domain of large spacecraft can now be performed using spacecraft that are one-tenth the size. One factor still limits the types of missions that these new small and nimbler spacecraft can perform: the lack of significant propulsion that is safe, affordable and easy to integrate. Continuum Aerospace, with partners Canadore College and the Universit

Continuum Aerospace Inc.

CAD 200k

2018–2023 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

The High-Energy Light Isotope eXperiment (HELIX)

Royal Institution For The Advancement Of Learning/mcgill University

CAD 196.9k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Title: Mapping of agricultural soils by Earth observation big data mining (ScanSol). ScanSol aims to create new opportunities for mining large quantities of images acquired via the different Earth observation satellites to provide the agricultural community with reliable information on the stable (texture) and variable (fertility) characteristics of agricultural soils. The most advanced big data mining techniques will be applied to all the optical and SAR images on the site of interest located i

Effigis Géo-solutions Inc.

CAD 149.9k

2018 · research

Radioprotectors are needed to protect astronauts from detrimental effects of space radiation. Melanin is known to protect fungi and other organisms from high doses of ionizing radiation. Thus, melanin-based radioprotectors could help solve the problem of radioprotection in space. This project will investigate the protective anti-carcinogenesis effects of melanin-containing black mushrooms when ingested, study its effect on preventing colon cancer, and evaluate the radioprotective effects on mel

University of Saskatchewan

CAD 200k

2018 · research

CubeSat constellations offer low-cost access to space with the potential to continuously monitor remote geophysical, environmental, and space phenomena. As CubeSat applications evolve, there is a need to increase platform capacity to support next-generation Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies. This project aims to develop multi-function GNSS software receiver technologies for CubeSat platforms. The team will also develop an end-to-end simulator capability used to design and t

University of Calgary

CAD 99k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

CAMDAS Earth Observation Data Exploitation Tool Development SSCL, along with its project partners Maerospace Corporation, 4DM, and Planet is conducting research to validate a concept for an advanced Maritime Doman Awareness (MDA) system. This system exploits the explosion of commercial earth observations satellites and advanced data analytics to establishes persistent, global MDA. Planet designs, builds and operates the world's most capable constellation of earth-imaging satellites and they are

Space Strategies Consulting Ltd. (sscl)

CAD 150k

2018–2022 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Next Generation Mini LIDAR

Macdonald, Dettwiler And Associates Inc.

CAD 2M

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Title: Behaviour Analytics from Multi Earth Observation Satellite Data. The project aims to generate higher-level fusion results that characterize the behaviours of objects. This represents information that is of high value to users. These results are derived from object-level data using machine learning technologies and by fully exploiting the available very large and diverse EO data archives. These very large datasets also present special challenges including storage, access and processing spe

Mda Systems Ltd.

CAD 150k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

This project will develop a prototype synthetic cognitive decision support system for medical diagnostics during space flight, and will involve an initial validation of that system. The proposed Synthetic Intelligence for Medical Assessment and Treatment (SIMAT) will simulate human cognitive diagnosis through the application of decision algorithms, statistical analysis, pattern recognition, and machine learning. Once fully developed, it will assist Crew Medical Officers in analyzing an ailing

Lunar Medica Inc.

CAD 200k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Ensuring that all parts of a spacecraft remain within acceptable temperature limits is one of the keys to a successful space mission. This involves comprehensive thermal analysis of each unit and the overall system. However, it is impractical to include detailed models of every unit in a system model, so engineers must often supply a reduced thermal model for system-level analysis. This project plans to use machine-learning methods to create reduced models. A computer will be used to analyze v

Maya Heat Transfer Technologies Ltd.

CAD 90.6k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

At present, communication satellites rely on radio frequencies to relay data, which transmit at a much slower speed than terrestrial optical fibre links. Areas of Earth where optical fibre connectivity is prohibitively expensive or impractical rely on communications satellites to connect to the Internet, putting them at a disadvantage compared to urban areas. MPB Communications will design and qualify a family of innovative optical amplifiers for space-borne laser communication terminals (LCTs

Mpb Communications Inc.

CAD 733.9k

2018 · research · Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Earth's magnetosphere contains ionized particles that can cause damage to electrical systems in spacecraft. DPL Science has developed the Dielectric Deep Charge Monitor (DDCM) to warn of possible deep charging in spacecraft. This project aims to develop multiple sample measurement capabilities in the DDCM and to allow the DDCM to be incorporated into radiation monitoring suites. This project will also work to upgrade DPL Science's Spacecraft Power Module to withstand radiation encountered betwe

Dpl Science Inc.

CAD 94.6k