NASA funded researchers conducting tests in Mono Lake in California have discovered the first known microorganism on Earth that are able to thrive and reproduce using the toxic chemical arsenic. This new find in the field known as Astrobiology has changed our fundamental knowledge about what comprises all known life on Earth.
Read More »MDA Releases National Urban Change Indicator
MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) released a new geospatial product yesterday, the National Urban Change Indicator. Initially targeted at the U.S. market the product will cover the lower 48 U.S. States.
Read More »James Webb Space Telescope Cost Overruns Won't Impact Canadian Contributions
Last week the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Independent Comprehensive Review Panel released its final report on significant cost overruns and mismanagement by NASA over the course of its development. The cost overruns have not and will not affect Canada’s contributions according to the Canadian Space Agency.
Read More »Northern Lights for all as AuroraMAX Goes Live
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area that sees the Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis, then you know how magically it can be to see the dance of light in the night sky. For those who don’t get to see the Northern Lights the Canadian Space Agency and its partners now brings you the light show live to your computer through the …
Read More »Lunar In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) to Lower Exploration Costs
With more than a half-dozen posters available for delegates to view, Gordon Zhou – a young researcher at the University of British Columbia’s department of civil engineering – said in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) is the one theme that unites the posters he wrote with Austin Mardon, at the Antarctic Institute of Canada.
Read More »Exploring the Moon's South Pole a Canadian Objective
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has spent the past three years putting “considerable emphasis” on lunar exploration technologies, according to the paper Advanced technology Development for Space Exploration at the Canadian Space Agency being presented at the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group this week.
Read More »The Case for a Decadal-Scale Robotic Lunar Exploration Program
The concept of mining on the moon is “embryonic”, notes Dale Boucher, a researcher from the Northern Centre for Advanced Technology (NORCAT), but with the right economic argument there will be companies interested in getting involved. Boucher co-authored the paper Assessing the Resource Potential of the Moon: The Case for a Decadal-Scale Robotic Lunar Exploration Program presented at this weeks Lunar Exploration Analysis Group meeting.
Read More »Canadian Ideas at the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group 2010 Meeting
Each fall the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group gather to discuss the exploration of the moon. The focus of the meeting this year will be using the Moon as a target for solar system exploration, science, commerce, education, and technology development. The meeting takes place in Washington starting today through Thursday. Canadian participation in the meeting is strong once again this year and SpaceRef will provide …
Read More »Canada and the International Space Exploration Coordination Group
The main success of the International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) is allowing Canada to keep an eye out on what other countries are doing and to develop programs in parallel, according to the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA) Victoria Hipkin. The program scientist for planetary exploration is a co-author on a paper explaining ISECG’s importance; it will be presented at the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group …
Read More »Rocket Motor Test, Tech Chief Tour Tops This Week at NASA
NASA’s next-generation, five-segment solid rocket development motor — DM-2 — is successfully cold-fired in its test stand at ATK’s facility in Promontory, Utah. Also, NASA’s Chief Technologist visits facilities developing cutting-edge technologies at three NASA centers. Plus, MMS passes its critical design review; Glenn hosts a groundbreaking for its new central office building; NASA needs deejays; and the agency’s one-girl food drive force in West …
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