Longueuil, Quebec, January 16, 2007 The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency, today announced an investment of $10.3 million in 36 research and development contracts awarded to Canadian industry for the design of new space technologies and applications.
"The investments announced are crucial for supporting Canada's leadership position in niche markets such as robotics, remote sensing, satellite communication components, and radar, and for making groundbreaking technologies market-ready. These are technologies that respond to Canadian needs and those of our international partners," said Minister Bernier.
The contracts were awarded through the CSA's Space Technology Development Program (STDP). The 36 companies will develop a range of innovative space technologies, including:
Guidance, navigation and control software to improve the autonomy, safety and reliability of space systems;
Refinements of a new satellite concept for sensing land surface types, which could be used for studying the environment and monitoring our natural resources;
Near instantaneous distress alerts to reduce Search and Rescue response times, even in the far North; and
A feasibility study for an instrument that measures water content of soil without touching it, which could be used for exploration of Mars or other planets.
Investment in long-term space technology research and development is key to the success of the Canadian space industry in the next decade. This support maintains a level playing field, since other countries invest heavily in their own areas of industry expertise and technologies are evolving quickly.
For a list of companies that have been awarded contracts, please consult the backgrounder at: www.space.gc.ca.
Backgrounder
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About the Space Technology Development Program (STDP)
This Canadian Space Agency program promotes the design and development of innovative technologies in Canada to maintain our nation's position as leader in space technology. The technologies it supports take full advantage of the capabilities of the Canadian space industry and are strongly linked with the future needs of the Canadian Space Program.
For more information:
Isabelle Fontaine
Office of the Honourable Maxime Bernier
Minister of Industry
Telephone: (613) 995-9001
Julie Simard
Canadian Space Agency
Media Relations
Telephone: (450) 926-4370
E-mail: julie.simard@space.gc.ca
