Industry Minister joins Canadian Astronaut Jeremy Hansen and students in Ottawa to announce support for the most powerful telescope ever built
March 26, 2015 - Ottawa, Ontario
Today, Industry Minister James Moore and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Astronaut Jeremy Hansen joined students at Elgin Street Public School to talk about Canada's proud history in space and the future of space exploration.
Minister Moore announced that the Government of Canada, through the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), is investing an additional $2.6 million towards Canada's contribution in the James Webb Space Telescope, the most powerful telescope ever built.
This next-generation space telescope will observe the most distant objects in the universe, study planets around distant stars and provide images of the first galaxies ever formed. The observatory's images will serve thousands of astronomers worldwide, including Canadians, over the coming decades, including helping them to determine if there are other planets capable of supporting life.
The investment will help integrate Canadian instruments into the telescope and directly support all test activities with the instruments in preparation for the telescope's launch in October 2018.
Canada's contribution to the James Webb Space Telescope is aligned with the principles of Canada's Space Policy Framework: it positions our domestic space industry at the forefront of cutting edge space activities; it strengthens strategic relationships with international partners in the interest of science and technology; and it advances Canada's excellence in the key capability of space optics.
Media Relations
Canadian Space Agency
Telephone: 450-926-4370
E-mail: media@asc-csa.gc.ca
Website: www.asc-csa.gc.ca
Twitter: @csa_asc
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