Technology

Canada’s robotics expertise is on display this week performing tasks never before attempted as part of a collaborative effort with NASA on the International Space Station (ISS).

NASA Public Affairs Officer Dan Huot talks with Alex Janas, robotics operator from the Goddard Space Flight Center, about the Robotic Refueling Mission aboard the International Space Station.

This new video titled “Santa’s Little Detour” posted on the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) YouTube channel combines both holiday spirit and a marketing message, a dual message.

According to NASA they are making steady progress on building the Orion spacecraft which will take astronauts deeper into space than ever before. Presented here is the latest achievements and milestones as Orion gets ready for its first orbital test flight in 2014.

ABB Canada will provide key technologies in the development of an instrument to be used to make meteorological observations onboard satellites for the Canadian Space Agency’s Polar Communications and Weather (PCW) mission.

When the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP) is launched Friday, an interferometer built by the ABB company will be onboard. The first of a new generation of US meteorological satellites is to be launched by NASA on October 28, at 5:48:01 a.m. EDT.

Ottawa based Neptec scored its first post-Shuttle contract last week when it reached an agreement with Orbital Sciences Corporation to provide its TriDAR rendezvous and docking sensor for Orbital’s Cygnus spacecraft.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is soliciting ideas and interest for their Technology Transfer Programme (TTP). Since 1979 Canada has had a cooperating agreement with ESA meaning Canadians could participate in some ESA programs. The TTP is one such program where Canadians can participate in.

Nautilus-X – NASA’s Multi-mission Space Exploration Vehicle Concept – Long-duration space journey vehicle for crew of 6 for periods of 1 -24 months – CIS-lunar would be initial Operations Zone [shakedown phase] – Exo-atmospheric, Space-only vehicle – Integrated Centrifuge for Crew Health – Life Support in deployed Large Volume with shirt-sleeve servicing – Truss & Stringer thrust-load distribution concept (non-orthogird) – Capable of utilizing variety …

Next Friday in Toronto the Canadian Space Commerce Association will be holding it’s annual meeting with the theme The Next Breakthrough Space Technologies for Canada. The event will bring together executives, business owners, independent consultants, venture capitalists, scientists, engineers, R&D managers and students. Some of Canada’s top commercial space companies will be represented along with smaller new companies, academia, the military and the Canadian Space …