Ottawa-based Neptec Design Group is building precision optics technology for the mission
April 24, 2014 - Longueuil, Quebec - Canadian Space Agency
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has awarded a contract worth $1.35 million to Neptec Design Group to continue work on Canada's contribution to ASTRO-H, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) nextgeneration space observatory, scheduled to be launched in late 2015.
Neptec is building the Canadian ASTRO-H Metrology System (CAMS), which is an innovative measuring system that will help better calibrate the observatory's main telescope and significantly enhance the images it captures.
In return for this critical piece of hardware, Canada has secured three positions on the mission's Science Working Group to gain privileged access to the data and allow Canadian astronomers the opportunity to propose science investigations for the observatory to carry out.
Canada's contribution to the ASTRO-H observatory is aligned with several of the principles of Canada's Space Policy Framework, announced in February: it promotes Canadian innovation by positioning our domestic space industry at the forefront of cutting-edge space activities in optics, and it strengthens a strategic relationship with an international partner in the interest of science and technology.
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