Government of Canada supports excellence in a key technological capability
August 18, 2014 - Georgetown, Ontario - Canadian Space Agency
The Honourable Kevin Sorenson, Minister of State (Finance), and Member of Parliament Michael Chong (Wellington–Halton Hills), on behalf of the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry, today announced that Canada, through the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), is investing in Canadian innovation that will play a key role in the first-ever global survey of surface water.
The Georgetown-based manufacturer, Communications and Power Industries Canada Inc. (CPI Canada), will receive $3.3 million to develop the Extended Interaction Klystron (EIK), a satellite radar component that will generate pulses used to gather surface information. This investment will support local high-technology jobs and economic growth while the resulting information could help Canada more efficiently manage water resources, prepare for potential flooding, and help avoid costly damage from flooding or drought.
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission will survey 90 percent of the globe, studying the Earth's lakes, rivers, reservoirs and oceans. SWOT data could lead to improvements in many water-related services in Canada, including operations at sea and water management systems, and will provide measurements for lakes and rivers in Northern Canada for which none currently exist.
Through this project, the Government of Canada is supporting excellence in a key technological capability and positioning Canada's private sector at the forefront of space activities, key principles of Canada's Space Policy Framework announced by the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Industry, on February 7 of this year.
Media Relations
Canadian Space Agency
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E-mail: media@asc-csa.gc.ca
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