This years 73rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Paris was the largest one to date, with nearly 10,000 people attending in-person. The Canadian Space Agency signed four agreements and held 17 official meetings.
As usual, the International Astronautical Congress is a busy time for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). This year was even busier for CSA president Lisa Campbell as she was elected last year as a vice-president of the International Astronautical Federation who organize the event with the local hosts. Being a VP brings with it additional responsibilities including during the IAC.
Many Meetings
Miss Campbell did manage to meet with the following space agencies, government departments, international organizations and industry;
- ASA (Australian Space Agency);
- ASI (Italian Space Agency);
- CNES (France Space Agency);
- DLR (German Space Agency);
- Department of State (USA);
- ESA (European Space Agency).
- ISRO (Indian Space Agency );
- JAXA (Japan Space Agency);
- LSA (Luxembourg Space Agency);
- Space Advisor to the White House & Executive Secretary of National Space Council (USA);
- NZSA (New Zealand Space Agency);
- SSAU (Ukraine Space Agency);
- UKSA (United Kingdom Space Agency);
- GIFAS (The Groupement des industries françaises aéronautiques et spatiales – National Aerospace Industry Association);
- UNOOSA (UN Office of Outer Space Affairs);
- Axiom and;
- MDA;
An Agreement with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA)
The Canadian Space Agency which has a long history in participating with the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs signed a new agreement “to further our shared goals and objectives to promote and support capacity building in the use of space science and technology for sustainable development.”
Here’s to more collaboration with the @UN! CSA President Lisa Campbell signed an agreement to further our shared goals and objectives to promote and support capacity building in the use of space science and technology for sustainable development. #IAC2022 pic.twitter.com/olVZKJLN8i — Canadian Space Agency (@csa_asc) September 21, 2022
An Agreement with the State Space Agency of Ukraine
Canada is continuing its support of the Ukrainian space program signing a new agreement with the State Space Agency of Ukraine. This time Canada will “share best practices and experiences in the development of their respective CubeSat programs as a means of developing the next generation of space experts.” This agreement coincided with another agreement by the State Space Agency of Ukraine to have university CubeSat’s launched in Canada from Spaceport Nova Scotia by Maritime Launch Services with support from Nanoracks. The Canadian Space Agency also announced its follow-on CubeSat program CUBICS just before the IAC started.
An Agreement with CNES, the French Apace Agency
As we previously reported, the Canadian Space Agency signed an agreement with CNES, the French space agency, for another 10 year partnership on the STRATOS, the stratospheric balloon program.
We’re proud to have renewed the agreement between @CNES and the CSA that will provide Canadian experts with more stratospheric balloon flight opportunities. Looking forward to another 10 years of partnership! Learn more about STRATOS: https://t.co/84NMzVpqte #IAC2022 pic.twitter.com/AgvSbyDE73 — Canadian Space Agency (@csa_asc) September 20, 2022
An Agreement with Axiom Space
From an industry perspective, the most interesting agreement the CSA signed was with Axiom Space who are planning to build a commercial space station in low Earth orbit. The agreement will explore possible collaborations with Axiom and could see more Canadian technology used on their planned space station. To date, MDA is the only Canadian company with contracts with Axiom’s space station that we are aware of.