SpaceRef has learned that Gilles Leclerc, who was the Director General, Space Exploration, has been named the interim President of the Canadian Space Agency. Leclerc replaces Steve MacLean who served his last day today.

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) will launch the first space telescope dedicated to discovering and tracking asteroids, monitoring satellites and space debris. The launch is scheduled for February 18th on an Indian rocket.

On February 18th Canada’s first dedicated military satellite will launch aboard an Indian rocket. What is the significance of this launch?

From his vantage point, more than 200 miles above Earth, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield answers questions from CBC News in Toronto about his time living and working on the International Space Station.

Now that Steve MacLean has made the decision to leave the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) after an exemplary 29 year career of which he served 4 1/2 years as President, who replaces him?

Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Chris Hadfield had the opportunity to speak today to over 800 kindergarten to grade 8 students who had assembled at a school named in his honour, Chris Hadfield Public School in Milton, Ontario.

SpaceRef has learned that Canadian Space Agency President Steve MacLean is leaving the agency to pursue a job with a new venture by Research in Motion’s co-founder Mike Lazaridis. The announcement was made today at an all hands meeting at the agency.

Today Chris Hadfield answered questions from media at the Canadian Space Agency headquarters in St. Hubert. Following along as Chris talks about experience on the International Space Station so far. Oh, and aside from all the cool science he’s doing, he did point out that his hockey team, the Leafs, are still undefeated.

Late today the Canadian Space Agency announced it will hold a press event at MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) office in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue on the West island of Montreal tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. ET. It is expected the government will announce the funding and contract for the delayed RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM).