Creating the next generation of space innovators

From: Canadian Space Agency

News release

Canadian Space Agency announces winning student satellite projects

May 4, 2018, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Young Canadians are the innovators who will take the Canadian Space Program into the future. What better way to learn about space engineering than to design, build, launch and operate your own satellite?

Post-secondary students from each province and territory have won the chance to design, build and launch into space their own CubeSat through the Canadian CubeSat Project. Today, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jenni Sidey unveiled the teams selected to participate in this new national student space initiative.

The opportunity to work on a real space mission from start to finish, including operating the satellites and conducting science experiments in space, will help students learn about science and engineering. It will also give them useful experience and skills in project management, leadership, marketing and communications. This will equip them well for the jobs of the future.

CSA experts, as well as representatives from the Canadian space industry, will guide the teams throughout the Canadian CubeSat Project, to optimize the success of each mission.

This initiative is part of the Government of Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class.

Quotes

"The CubeSat project is training Canada's next generation of innovators, engineers and astronauts. Congratulations to all the winning teams and their professors. These students are learning critical skills that will help them get the middle-class jobs of tomorrow. We can't wait to see these satellites launched!"

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

"The Canadian CubeSat Project invites Canadian students to rise to the challenge of space, and after reading the winning proposals, I can say that they are ready to take it on. What better way to engage Canadian students in STEM activities than to give them an opportunity to take part in a real space mission!"

- Dr. Jenni Sidey, Astronaut, Canadian Space Agency

Quick facts

  • The Canadian Space Agency is awarding a total of 15 grants, ranging from $200,000 to $250,000. The CSA will also cover costs associated with the CubeSat launches.

  • A total of 15 teams composed of 37 organizations will participate in the Canadian CubeSat Project, thanks to several inter-regional, inter-provincial and international collaborations that even include universities from Europe, Australia and the USA.

  • Students must be at the post-secondary level, although several teams will be engaging younger students in their communities through outreach activities. It is expected that 532 students in all will work on this initiative.

  • Once tested and ready for space, the 15 CubeSats will be launched and deployed from the International Space Station in 2020–2021.

  • A CubeSat is a tiny, cube-shaped satellite measuring 10 cm × 10 cm × 10 cm.

Associated links

Contacts

Canadian Space Agency
Media Relations Office
Telephone: 450-926-4370
Website: asc-csa.gc.ca
Email: ASC.Medias-Media.CSA@canada.ca
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