The Canadian Space Agency is again looking for input from the space community for the Space Technology Development Program (STDP), this time with an emphasis on Industrial Capability. It was just two weeks ago that they were soliciting input for 17 priority technologies.

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut candidate pool is down to 32 according to a tweet the agency posted to Twitter.  Of those remaining, 12 live and work abroad, 11 are women and 9 are in the armed forces. A list of the remaining candidates is available here.

Today the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) posted notice that it is beginning a consultation process on the Licensing Framework for Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit (NGSO) Systems and clarification of application procedures for all satellite licence applications. After the consultation, which has no set time frame, ISED will release updated documents for the Policy Framework for Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) and Broadcasting-Satellite Service (BSS) and Licensing of Space Stations.

In what is a sign of the changing times, a collaboration between Old Space and New Space, an effort begun less than a year ago resulted in the first joint event, the Space 2.0 Round Table, between the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), Old Space, and the Canadian Space Commerce Association (CSCA), New Space.

In this weeks Short Cuts we talk about another blockbuster deal by MDA in the acquisition of DigitalGlobe, Deep Space Industries revenue revealed, GHGSat confirms it will acquire two more satellites, the Canadian Space Agency wants your input on technology development and more.

It turns out the acquisition of Space Systems Loral (SSL) in 2012 was just the opening act in MDA’s U.S. strategy. Today the company announced that it was acquiring DigitalGlobe for $3.1 billion (US$2.4 billion) in shares and cash. The deal includes taking on DigitalGlobe’s $1.6 billion (US$1.2 billion) in net debt. Both companies reported their 2016 revenue today, which when combined, is just over $3 …

Today NASA announced another exciting find in its quest to find exoplanets and habitable worlds. TRAPPIST-1 is an ultracool dwarf star 40 light-years from space and today astronomers announced the discovery of seven Earth-sized planets, three of which are in the star’s habitable zone and could host oceans of surface water.

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has issued a Letter of Interest (LOI) soliciting ideas from the space community for the Space Technology Development Program (STDP) before a potential Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued. This is a refreshing departure from recent STDP solicitations.

According to the Wall Street Journal, MDA is in advanced talks to acquire DigitalGlobe. If a deal does emerge, it would be a significant acquisition. As reported by the Journal’s Dana Mattioli, “terms of the potential deal couldn’t be learned, but given DigitalGlobe’s market value of $1.8 billion Friday afternoon and a typical takeover premium, it could be worth between $2 billion and $3 billion. …

Kepler Communications announced today it has selected Innovative Space Logistics B.V. (ISL), part of the Innovative Solutions in Space (ISIS) group of the Netherlands, as their launch contractor, and that their first satellite will launch on an Indian  Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket this November.