As we previously mentioned, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) has been working on two guides related to the Remote Sensing Space Systems Act (RSSSA). The effort has been part of a larger process to enact regulatory reform to deal with the current reality of a fast growing space sector. The first of those guides has now been published.
The guide titled Remote Sensing Space Systems Act – Operating licence application guide was approved for publication on October 26th of last year and published online this past Monday. It took awhile to get online as it had to be translated into french before being published.
The executive summary states in part “with (is) space becoming more easily accessible and with space having transitioned from a ‘nice to have’ resource to an ‘essential’ resource, there is greater demand for Earth observation images.” This is an understatement. The need for civil, defence and commercial Earth observation data is growing exponentially and is fuelled by advances in technology making the data more accessible and useful. We can’t keep up with the volume of data we’re getting now, let alone what will be coming in the years to come. Canada’s regulations related to remote sensing however is rooted in era where they didn’t conceive of what’s happening now.
The guide is a first attempt to bridge that gap making it easier to work within the RSSSA. It’s a start, with more to come, and much more needing to be done. The next guide, part 2 if you will, was thought to be coming out this month, but will be out later this year.
The executive summary further states that “this document will guide an applicant in submitting an application for a RSSSA Operating Licence. Detailed within the guide are information on the following:”
- Applying for a licence: What is required from the applicant;
- The Remote Sensing Space System: Space Segment, Ground Segment, and Data;
- Required documentation; and
- Appendices with further details.
It should be note that Appendix E – Frequently asked questions is very useful for any new entity not familiar with the process. It provides a quick reference.
