The Conservative Government of Stephen Harper, which governs as if it had a majority because of weak opposition, is notorious for controlling information disseminated to the public. This extends to every public agency including the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), much to its detriment.
Read More »An Introduction to CryoSat-2
A British National Space Centre (BNSC) feature on CryoSat-2. CryoSat-2 will determine variations in the thickness of floating sea-ice so that seasonal and inter-annual variations can be detected. The satellite will also survey the surface of continental ice sheets to detect small elevation changes. Information on precise variations in ice thickness will further our understanding of the relationship between ice and climate change. As a …
Read More »Cryosat-2 Launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) CryoSat-2 earth observation satellite was successfully launched yesterday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a Russian Dnepr rocket. As a cooperating member of ESA, the Canadian Space Agency is contributing to ESA’s Earth Observation Envelope Programme and therefore is participating in the mission.
Read More »Canadian Space Agency Reorganization Underway
The federal government on March 25th released the 2010-2011 Canadian Space Agency (CSA) Report on Plans and Priorities. The report indicates that in anticipation of Cabinet and Treasury Board approval of the Long Term Space Plan (LTSP), a reorganization is underway. The much anticipated 10 year LTSP would begin to be implemented this year as soon as the government approves the plan.
Read More »Commercial Space – A Growing Industry in Canada
In the budget released by the government last week was $397 million of new funding for the RADARSAT Constellation Mission. In addition, the Canadian Space Agency had already allocated $100 million for the Constellation. The green light to this project is an important step in maintaining highly skilled jobs and keeping Canada a leader in the Earth Observation field which will benefit the growing Canadian …
Read More »RADARSAT Constellation Mission get Funding in Budget
Today’s budget from the government provides the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) with $397 million of new money to help fund the RADARSAT Constellation Mission over 5 years. Along with $100 million that the CSA already has, the CSA will have a total of $497 million for the project. The bulk of the spending will happen after 2011-2012. This project which had already been in the …
Read More »Canadian Throne Speech Hints at Increase in Earth Observation for Arctic Sovereignty
The Conservatives Governments throne speech today, in advance of tomorrow’s budget, only hinted at possible increased funding for Earth Observation for Arctic sovereignty. The text of the speech which dealt with space was rather vague as you can see. “Canada has been a spacefaring nation for nearly 50 years. Our Government will extend support for advanced research, development and prototyping of new space-based technologies, especially …
Read More »Shrinking Budget and No Space Plan puts the Canadian Space Agency in a Bind
On March 4th the federal government will release what is expected to be a frugal budget. This is in part is due to lower tax revenues. The December 2009 deficit was $3.1 billion with revenues down $19.4-billion and program expenses up $22 billion. With revenues down and the deficit climbing the government has signaled that there will be few new spending initiatives and that some …
Read More »This Week in Space for Canada
Back in September 2008, when Steve MacLean became head of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), industry and science experts expected a long-term space strategy document would be developed and released almost immediately in order to provide a long delayed “way forward” and focus Canadian activities. Unfortunately, no report has ever been released (although one is still promised). Instead we have private citizens, individual organizations and …
Read More »This Week in Space for Canada
This week in space for Canada is quiet but important and all about the boring programs available to help Canadian business making a living off our final frontier.
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