Europe and Canada - Partners in Space (ESA BR
Europe and Canada - Partners in Space (ESA BR
Europe and Canada - Partners in Space (ESA BR
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<strong>Europe</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Canada</strong><br />
<strong>Partners</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Space</strong><br />
<strong>BR</strong>-160<br />
June 2000
Text:<br />
Mark Burbidge & Jason Clement, CSA<br />
Published by:<br />
<strong>ESA</strong> Publications Division<br />
ESTEC, PO Box 299,<br />
2200 AG Noordwijk,<br />
The Netherl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
Editors:<br />
Gilles Leclerc & Bruce Battrick<br />
Design & Layout:<br />
Carel Haakman<br />
Graphics:<br />
Willem Versteeg<br />
Illustrations:<br />
Industry <strong>Canada</strong>/Communications Research Centre<br />
Institut national d'optique<br />
K<strong>in</strong>etic Sciences Inc.<br />
MacDonald Dettwiler <strong>and</strong> Associates Ltd.<br />
Canadian Embassy, Paris/Jean-Bernard Poree<br />
Copyright:<br />
© 2000 <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Space</strong> Agency<br />
ISBN No.: 92-9092-623-6
<strong>Europe</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Canada</strong><br />
<strong>Partners</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Space</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Space</strong> Agency Canadian <strong>Space</strong> Agency<br />
<strong>BR</strong>-160<br />
June 2000
The 1978 Agreement<br />
In the 21st Century, space has become a truly <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />
venture. No s<strong>in</strong>gle country can absorb the full risk of<br />
develop<strong>in</strong>g new technologies for this most dem<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
environment. Moreover, many of the benefits of space<br />
programmes also cross political boundaries, as essential<br />
knowledge ga<strong>in</strong>ed from space-based Earth observation helps<br />
humanity deal with global environmental challenges, <strong>and</strong><br />
global satellite-based services such as multimedia<br />
communications <strong>and</strong> navigation enter our daily lives.<br />
The Canadian <strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an space programmes provide an<br />
outst<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g model for this <strong>in</strong>ternational cooperation, prov<strong>in</strong>g<br />
that the whole can <strong>in</strong>deed be much greater than the sum<br />
of its parts. S<strong>in</strong>ce 1978, a far-reach<strong>in</strong>g<br />
cooperation agreement has brought<br />
significant benefits to both sides of the<br />
Atlantic, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the development of key<br />
technologies for both space programmes,<br />
the creation of alliances between space<br />
companies, <strong>and</strong> greater returns on the<br />
<strong>in</strong>vestments. As a further 10-year<br />
agreement between the Government of<br />
<strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong> the <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Space</strong> Agency<br />
2<br />
Rosetta<br />
(<strong>ESA</strong>) comes <strong>in</strong>to effect <strong>in</strong> 2000, this<br />
cooperation promises to reach new<br />
heights.<br />
The nations of <strong>Europe</strong>, like <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
other space-far<strong>in</strong>g nations, see<br />
unlimited potential for future growth of<br />
the knowledge-based economy through space ventures. In<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>, <strong>ESA</strong> has created a <strong>Europe</strong>an space programme<br />
with great depth <strong>and</strong> capability beyond the reach of<br />
<strong>in</strong>dividual Member States, from launch to orbital<br />
facilities, to deep-space probes. It has 15<br />
Member States (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Canada</strong>, as a<br />
Cooperat<strong>in</strong>g State), a budget equivalent to<br />
C$ 5.7 billion <strong>and</strong> some 1700 employees (1999<br />
figures). <strong>Canada</strong>’s cooperat<strong>in</strong>g membership<br />
br<strong>in</strong>gs additional f<strong>in</strong>ancial resources <strong>and</strong> advanced<br />
technological capabilities to <strong>Europe</strong>an programmes,<br />
while <strong>Europe</strong> provides partners with capabilities that are<br />
essential to fulfill<strong>in</strong>g Canadian <strong>Space</strong> Programme goals.<br />
<strong>Canada</strong>’s geographic <strong>and</strong> demographic imperatives (surface<br />
area triple that of all <strong>ESA</strong> Member States comb<strong>in</strong>ed, <strong>and</strong><br />
Ariane-5
Alouette-I<br />
1/12 th of the population), make it<br />
one of the World’s largest users of<br />
space systems <strong>and</strong> services, for such<br />
applications as communications,<br />
search <strong>and</strong> rescue, navigation,<br />
resource management, surveillance<br />
<strong>and</strong> environmental monitor<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
name just a few. <strong>Canada</strong> was the<br />
third nation after Russia <strong>and</strong> the USA<br />
to enter the space age, with the 1962 launch of Alouette-I.<br />
Today, it ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong>s an active astronaut office, as well as longst<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
activities <strong>in</strong> space science (notably <strong>in</strong> atmospheric<br />
research, astronomy, space environment, microgravity <strong>and</strong><br />
space medic<strong>in</strong>e) <strong>and</strong> space technology<br />
research <strong>and</strong> development. <strong>Canada</strong>’s<br />
national <strong>in</strong>vestment ranks seventh<br />
among space-far<strong>in</strong>g nations, <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Canada</strong>’s space <strong>in</strong>dustry earned $ 1.4<br />
billion <strong>in</strong> revenues <strong>in</strong> 1999, of which<br />
over 40% was from exports.<br />
<strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Canadian space<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustry have actively participated <strong>in</strong><br />
many <strong>ESA</strong> programmes, especially<br />
<strong>in</strong> satellite communications, Earth<br />
observation, <strong>and</strong> generic spacetechnology<br />
development. <strong>Canada</strong><br />
participates directly <strong>in</strong> <strong>ESA</strong> programmes,<br />
activities <strong>and</strong> decision-mak<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>and</strong><br />
Canadian companies bid for <strong>and</strong><br />
receive contracts on the same basis as<br />
their <strong>Europe</strong>an counterparts. No other<br />
non-<strong>Europe</strong>an country has such a<br />
Olympus at the David Florida Laboratory<br />
relationship with <strong>ESA</strong>. Other aspects of <strong>Europe</strong>–<strong>Canada</strong><br />
cooperation <strong>in</strong> space <strong>in</strong>clude a science <strong>and</strong> technology<br />
cooperation agreement between the <strong>Europe</strong>an Union (EU)<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> under which Canadian companies <strong>and</strong><br />
organizations partner with <strong>Europe</strong>ans <strong>and</strong> participate <strong>in</strong> the<br />
EU’s Research <strong>and</strong> Technology Development Framework<br />
Programme. There are also numerous bilateral cooperation<br />
projects between some of the <strong>ESA</strong> Member States <strong>and</strong> <strong>Canada</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> space science <strong>and</strong> technology development.<br />
<strong>Europe</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Canada</strong> are<br />
partners, along with the<br />
USA, Japan <strong>and</strong> Russia, <strong>in</strong><br />
the International <strong>Space</strong><br />
Station (ISS) project. The ISS,<br />
the largest-ever cooperative<br />
venture <strong>in</strong> science <strong>and</strong><br />
technology, is the next<br />
great step <strong>in</strong> establish<strong>in</strong>g a<br />
human presence <strong>in</strong> space.<br />
<strong>ESA</strong>’s primary contribution is the Columbus laboratory, while<br />
<strong>Canada</strong> is draw<strong>in</strong>g upon its expertise <strong>in</strong> space robotics to<br />
supply the <strong>Space</strong> Station’s Mobile Servic<strong>in</strong>g System (MSS). The<br />
MSS will be used to assemble <strong>and</strong> ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong> the ISS over the<br />
course of its lifetime <strong>in</strong> orbit.<br />
ISS Columbus laboratory<br />
ISS Mobile Servic<strong>in</strong>g System<br />
International <strong>Space</strong> Station (ISS)<br />
3
While many aspects of satellite<br />
communications have become fully<br />
commercial, space agencies have a<br />
vital role <strong>in</strong> develop<strong>in</strong>g new capabilities <strong>and</strong><br />
applications. In this role, CSA <strong>and</strong> <strong>ESA</strong> are cooperat<strong>in</strong>g<br />
to achieve the greatest results from their<br />
respective <strong>in</strong>vestments. Meanwhile, Canadian <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an satellite communications companies have<br />
developed important partnerships <strong>in</strong> many areas.<br />
Cooperation between <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> <strong>in</strong> this<br />
field dates back to the early 1970s, when <strong>ESA</strong>’s forerunner,<br />
the <strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>Space</strong> Research Organisation<br />
(ESRO), provided critical elements for <strong>Canada</strong>’s<br />
Hermes-CTS satellite. This satellite, the first to operate <strong>in</strong> the Kub<strong>and</strong>,<br />
opened the way to a variety of direct-broadcast<strong>in</strong>g<br />
applications. <strong>Canada</strong>’s David Florida Laboratory (DFL),<br />
established <strong>in</strong> 1972 to <strong>in</strong>tegrate <strong>and</strong> test the Hermes satellite,<br />
is now active <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational space markets as a commercial<br />
spacecraft test<strong>in</strong>g service.<br />
The Olympus programme was <strong>in</strong>itiated by <strong>ESA</strong> <strong>in</strong> 1978,<br />
build<strong>in</strong>g on CTS/Hermes <strong>and</strong> <strong>Canada</strong>’s Anik-B. <strong>Canada</strong> was the<br />
4<br />
Hermes-CTS<br />
third largest participant, with <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> the solar array,<br />
assembly <strong>in</strong>tegration <strong>and</strong> test<strong>in</strong>g, payload amplifiers <strong>and</strong><br />
microwave components. F<strong>in</strong>al assembly <strong>and</strong> test<strong>in</strong>g was<br />
performed at DFL.<br />
In the 21st Century, <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> are work<strong>in</strong>g together<br />
to develop a range of key satellite-communications<br />
technologies. For example, more efficient on-board antenna<br />
systems will make satellites more energy-efficient. Digital <strong>and</strong>
advanced transmission techniques, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the V-, Ka- <strong>and</strong><br />
Ku-b<strong>and</strong>s, provide greater capacity to h<strong>and</strong>le the vast amounts<br />
of data required for multimedia applications.<br />
Inter-satellite l<strong>in</strong>ks are another important field of cooperation<br />
between <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>. In this field, the Institut national<br />
d’optique (INO) of Quebec City is work<strong>in</strong>g under a series of<br />
contracts from <strong>ESA</strong> to develop optical communications for<br />
high-speed data transfer between<br />
geostationary satellites, which<br />
could provide an alternative to<br />
terrestrial fibre-optic systems. INO<br />
has developed a transmitter for<br />
short-distance <strong>in</strong>ter-satellite optical<br />
communications <strong>and</strong> a power<br />
fibre amplifier capable of<br />
operat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> space.<br />
Galileo is <strong>Europe</strong>’s proposed global navigation satellite system.<br />
This civilian system will be compatible with exist<strong>in</strong>g<br />
American (GPS) <strong>and</strong> Russian (GLONASS) military-based<br />
systems, which have begun a revolution <strong>in</strong><br />
navigation practices around the World.<br />
As a fully civilian system, backed by<br />
adequate service guarantees <strong>and</strong> a<br />
legal framework to support the full<br />
range of civilian uses, Galileo will open<br />
wider possibilities for us<strong>in</strong>g satellite<br />
navigation. It will direct air <strong>and</strong> sea<br />
movements, cut traffic congestion by rout<strong>in</strong>g cars<br />
<strong>and</strong> trucks more efficiently, <strong>and</strong> f<strong>in</strong>d many other applications <strong>in</strong><br />
farm<strong>in</strong>g, fish<strong>in</strong>g, crime prevention, <strong>in</strong>frastructure plann<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
m<strong>in</strong>eral exploration <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> survey<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
GalileoSat<br />
Galileo will be an open, global system.<br />
Based on Medium Earth Orbit (MEO)<br />
satellites, it will be developed as a<br />
public–private partnership, with fund<strong>in</strong>g<br />
from the EU <strong>and</strong> <strong>ESA</strong>. <strong>Canada</strong> is<br />
participat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the def<strong>in</strong>ition of the <strong>ESA</strong>-led<br />
space segment of Galileo called ‘GalileoSat’.<br />
Canadian companies like EMS Technologies,<br />
COMDEV <strong>and</strong> CAE are currently <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong><br />
the def<strong>in</strong>ition phase, <strong>and</strong> NovAtel of<br />
Calgary is work<strong>in</strong>g with RACAL of the UK on<br />
the <strong>Europe</strong>an Geostationary Navigation<br />
Overlay Service (EGNOS).<br />
5
6<br />
The view of Earth from space may not show<br />
political boundaries, but other <strong>in</strong>formation<br />
vital to human existence comes clearly <strong>in</strong>to<br />
focus: from crop conditions to the spread of oil<br />
spills, from iceberg movements to ground<br />
subsidence. Earth-observation satellites have also<br />
become <strong>in</strong>dispensable <strong>in</strong> monitor<strong>in</strong>g crucial<br />
changes <strong>in</strong> the Earth’s environment <strong>and</strong> climate.<br />
In Earth observation, <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> have<br />
worked together for decades to advance the state<br />
of the art, particularly <strong>in</strong> the development of radar<br />
satellites <strong>and</strong> the commercial application of satellite<br />
data to meet a wide range of human needs.<br />
Earth observation has been a focal po<strong>in</strong>t for the<br />
Canadian <strong>Space</strong> Programme from the very<br />
beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g. The concept of a Synthetic Aperture<br />
Radar (SAR) was developed <strong>in</strong> <strong>Canada</strong>, with the<br />
first digital SAR image from space be<strong>in</strong>g produced<br />
<strong>in</strong> 1978. <strong>Canada</strong> brought this experience <strong>in</strong>to<br />
<strong>ESA</strong>’s <strong>Europe</strong>an Remote-Sens<strong>in</strong>g Satellite (ERS)<br />
programme. The ERS mission, which focuses on<br />
environmental concerns, matches<br />
<strong>Canada</strong>’s <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> us<strong>in</strong>g remotesens<strong>in</strong>g<br />
activities to monitor <strong>and</strong><br />
protect our global environment<br />
<strong>and</strong> climate. For example, it has<br />
provided close monitor<strong>in</strong>g of the<br />
El Niño phenomenon <strong>in</strong> the Pacific<br />
Ocean, which affects weather around the<br />
globe. It has been particularly active <strong>in</strong> the<br />
development of the ground segment <strong>and</strong><br />
microwave hardware.<br />
The SAR technology developed <strong>and</strong> acquired<br />
<strong>in</strong> this programme, <strong>and</strong> the experience<br />
ga<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> the reception, process<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> use of<br />
ERS-1 <strong>and</strong> ERS-2 data, <strong>in</strong> turn, facilitated the<br />
development <strong>and</strong> operation of Radarsat-1.<br />
Radarsat-1, developed <strong>and</strong> operated by the<br />
Canadian <strong>Space</strong> Agency, is <strong>Canada</strong>’s first Earthobservation<br />
satellite <strong>and</strong> the World’s first<br />
operational commercial SAR system. Launched <strong>in</strong><br />
November 1995, it provides all-weather, day-<strong>and</strong>-
Radarsat-1 ERS-1<br />
night imagery for very fast<br />
delivery to customers<br />
around the World. Radarsat-<br />
1 can acquire images <strong>in</strong><br />
variable modes of ground<br />
resolution, coverage swaths,<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>cident radar-beam<br />
angles. Different beam selections allow for the imag<strong>in</strong>g of a<br />
swath from 35 to 500 kilometres, with resolutions from 10 to<br />
100 metres, respectively. Incidence angles range from less than<br />
20 degrees to more than 50 degrees.<br />
Radarsat-1's capabilities are fully proven <strong>in</strong> vital applications<br />
such as ice track<strong>in</strong>g, cartography (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the first complete<br />
map of Antarctica), geological exploration, maritime<br />
surveillance, disaster relief, agriculture <strong>and</strong> forest monitor<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
etc. Radarsat-1 is the primary source of images for a<br />
Canadian remote-sens<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>dustry that has won some<br />
12% of the global market for Earth-observation data.<br />
<strong>Canada</strong> is now prepar<strong>in</strong>g a follow-on satellite,<br />
Radarsat-2, a state-of-the art space venture <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the public <strong>and</strong> private sectors. A Canadian <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
team led by MacDonald Dettwiler MDA of Richmond,<br />
British Columbia, is build<strong>in</strong>g<br />
this lighter, cheaper satellite<br />
that improves on Radarsat-1<br />
with new modes, higher<br />
resolution, multi-polarisation,<br />
more frequent revisits <strong>and</strong> an<br />
<strong>in</strong>creased downl<strong>in</strong>k marg<strong>in</strong>,<br />
which allows lower-cost receiv<strong>in</strong>g systems.<br />
Further plans for wide-rang<strong>in</strong>g cooperation with <strong>ESA</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
Radarsat are under discussion, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the possibility of a<br />
jo<strong>in</strong>t venture between <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> for Radarsat-3.<br />
<strong>Canada</strong> will be an active participant <strong>in</strong> many missions of <strong>ESA</strong>’s<br />
Liv<strong>in</strong>g Planet programme, a major Earth-observation effort over<br />
the com<strong>in</strong>g years focuss<strong>in</strong>g on <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>gly urgent<br />
environmental <strong>and</strong> climatological needs. <strong>Canada</strong> shares many<br />
of <strong>ESA</strong>’s objectives for this programme, such as<br />
Radarsat-2<br />
study<strong>in</strong>g the Earth’s gravity field, ocean<br />
circulation, atmosphere dynamics, <strong>and</strong> ice<br />
cover. Work<strong>in</strong>g with <strong>ESA</strong> will also provide<br />
opportunities to further develop Canadian<br />
capabilities <strong>in</strong> fields such as multi-b<strong>and</strong> SAR<br />
<strong>and</strong> hyper-spectral imag<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
7
Sea-surface temperatures, from ERS<br />
MIPAS<br />
In 2000, Envisat, <strong>Europe</strong>’s largest <strong>and</strong> most sophisticated<br />
satellite to date, is follow<strong>in</strong>g up the two ERS missions with an<br />
ambitious Earth-observation mission. Its package of 10<br />
<strong>in</strong>struments has comb<strong>in</strong>ed capabilities<br />
greater than those of any previous or<br />
planned Earth-observation satellite.<br />
<strong>Canada</strong>’s participation <strong>in</strong> this mission<br />
<strong>in</strong>cludes a project by ABB Bomem, of<br />
Quebec City, to simulate <strong>and</strong> validate<br />
the MIPAS <strong>in</strong>strument for measur<strong>in</strong>g<br />
trace elements <strong>in</strong> the atmosphere.<br />
Radar satellites provide new levels<br />
of mar<strong>in</strong>e safety<br />
Today, as ice floes drift <strong>in</strong>to North<br />
Atlantic shipp<strong>in</strong>g lanes, the Canadian Ice Service of<br />
Environment <strong>Canada</strong> tracks them from space us<strong>in</strong>g Radarsat.<br />
Until recently, a vastly more costly <strong>and</strong> less effective, <strong>and</strong> at<br />
times more dangerous, system of air surveillance was needed<br />
to provide this vital support for safe mar<strong>in</strong>e transportation. The<br />
Centre has saved some $ 7 million per year <strong>in</strong> the switch to<br />
satellite imag<strong>in</strong>g, while improv<strong>in</strong>g its capabilities to provide<br />
unprecedented levels of precision <strong>and</strong> reliability. Radar satellites<br />
make this possible. In heavy weather, when visibility closes <strong>in</strong>,<br />
<strong>and</strong> the need for close track<strong>in</strong>g becomes even more urgent,<br />
8<br />
the stream of radar images is<br />
unaffected.<br />
Reliable <strong>in</strong>formation for<br />
natural-disaster management<br />
The Radarsat system has<br />
proved its ability to provide<br />
reliable, rapid delivery of<br />
satellite images <strong>and</strong> updates<br />
that meet the urgent needs of<br />
civil authorities deal<strong>in</strong>g with<br />
natural disasters around the World. Whether it be rivers<br />
overflow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Québec <strong>and</strong> Manitoba, an earthquake <strong>in</strong> Italy,<br />
or a cruise ship threatened by Arctic ice, Radarsat consistently<br />
provides the most timely <strong>and</strong> reliable source of essential<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation for officials responsible for disaster management.<br />
When the Russian oil tanker ‘Hakhoda’ ran aground <strong>in</strong> a storm<br />
near Japan <strong>in</strong> 1997, caus<strong>in</strong>g the worst oil spill <strong>in</strong> that country’s<br />
history, Radarsat images allowed Japanese authorities to clearly<br />
identify the location <strong>and</strong> extent of<br />
the spill, vastly facilitat<strong>in</strong>g clean-up<br />
operations <strong>and</strong> deal<strong>in</strong>g with the<br />
potential threat caused by the spill<br />
to the <strong>in</strong>take of a nuclear power<br />
plant.<br />
Envisat
Rosetta<br />
From deep space to cold oceans to forest fires<br />
<strong>Space</strong> technologies are advanc<strong>in</strong>g rapidly, though<br />
the process is not easy. It requires <strong>in</strong>vestigation of<br />
promis<strong>in</strong>g concepts, <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>vestment to br<strong>in</strong>g them to<br />
the po<strong>in</strong>t where they can be effectively evaluated.<br />
Not all ideas succeed <strong>and</strong> so there is considerable<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ancial risk attached. Cooperation between <strong>Canada</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> helps to share that risk, <strong>and</strong> pool<br />
resources to achieve the<br />
maximum possible progress.<br />
A few examples of this<br />
cooperation follow.<br />
Track<strong>in</strong>g Rosetta through deep aa<br />
space<br />
<strong>ESA</strong>’s Rosetta spacecraft will be<br />
launched <strong>in</strong> 2003 on a 10-year mission<br />
to study Comet Wirtanen <strong>and</strong> two<br />
asteroids. Throughout its mission, its<br />
Telemetry, Track<strong>in</strong>g & Control (TT&C)<br />
will depend on the performance of a<br />
35-metre antenna built by an <strong>in</strong>dustrial<br />
team led by SED Systems of Saskatoon,<br />
Saskatchewan. SED Systems, which has been provid<strong>in</strong>g<br />
TT&C systems for nearly 20 years, is build<strong>in</strong>g on its<br />
core technologies to meet the challenge of<br />
communicat<strong>in</strong>g reliably with a spacecraft that will<br />
travel up to 900 million kilometres from Earth (a<br />
distance that signals take 100 m<strong>in</strong>utes to travel at<br />
the speed of light). This antenna will also be used for<br />
future missions to Mars.<br />
Adapt<strong>in</strong>g space technologies for harsh terrestrial<br />
environments<br />
Technologies developed for operations <strong>in</strong> the unforgiv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
environment of space can have valuable applications <strong>in</strong> harsh<br />
environments on Earth. In Newfoundl<strong>and</strong>, C-CORE, an<br />
<strong>in</strong>dependently funded eng<strong>in</strong>eer<strong>in</strong>g research <strong>and</strong> development<br />
corporation affiliated with Memorial University, adapts space<br />
technologies such as smart robotics <strong>and</strong> sensors, advanced<br />
materials, satellite-based remote sens<strong>in</strong>g, advanced<br />
communications, <strong>and</strong> control <strong>and</strong> power systems for use <strong>in</strong><br />
harsh environments. These environments, such as cold oceans,<br />
Arctic, Antarctic, underground <strong>and</strong> undersea locations, are of<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>terest to resource <strong>in</strong>dustries, but present great<br />
challenges to operations.<br />
9
This unprecedented <strong>in</strong>itiative is<br />
attract<strong>in</strong>g significant match<strong>in</strong>g<br />
funds from the private sector. C-<br />
CORE is build<strong>in</strong>g on a successful<br />
launch of the Harsh Environments<br />
Initiative, which <strong>in</strong>volved 14<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>an <strong>and</strong> 33 Canadian<br />
companies <strong>in</strong> eight demonstration<br />
projects. For example, PetroGraFx is<br />
a collaboration with Hibernia<br />
Management <strong>and</strong> Development<br />
Company Ltd. (HMDC) to develop a<br />
software tool to carry out automated analysis <strong>and</strong> database<br />
management of core <strong>and</strong> th<strong>in</strong>-section images. These images<br />
are collected from core samples taken dur<strong>in</strong>g exploration <strong>and</strong><br />
drill<strong>in</strong>g. The tool will allow the accurate analysis of<br />
petrographic images <strong>in</strong> terms of important visual<br />
characteristics, such as porosity, m<strong>in</strong>eral content, <strong>and</strong> shape<br />
<strong>and</strong> size distributions. Another project, SMART (Sensori-Motor<br />
Augmented Reality for Telerobotics), is an IRIS/PRECARN project<br />
The SMART concept<br />
10<br />
Augmented Reality Telerobotic Control Concept<br />
which aims to design, implement<br />
<strong>and</strong> test an <strong>in</strong>novative approach<br />
to telerobotics for <strong>in</strong>terventions <strong>in</strong><br />
harsh environments. The focus<br />
application for the development<br />
is the supervisory control of<br />
multiple m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g robots. This project <strong>in</strong>cludes R&D <strong>in</strong> the areas<br />
of <strong>in</strong>teractive 3D sens<strong>in</strong>g, enhanced perception, <strong>in</strong>telligent<br />
mediation, <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>telligent control.<br />
Fight<strong>in</strong>g forest fires with help from space<br />
In manag<strong>in</strong>g emergency situations, for example the fight<strong>in</strong>g of<br />
forest fires <strong>in</strong> British Columbia, real-time communications are<br />
crucial to connect comm<strong>and</strong> centres with the entire operation<br />
over the affected region, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g helicopters, vehicles, heavy<br />
fire-fight<strong>in</strong>g equipment, <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>held term<strong>in</strong>als.<br />
<strong>ESA</strong>’s REMSAT (REal-time Management of emergency situations<br />
via SATellite) programme bridges the gap between satellite<br />
service providers <strong>and</strong> emergency management end-users, to<br />
offer a powerful network that br<strong>in</strong>gs together telecommunications,<br />
position<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>and</strong> Earth observation.<br />
REMSAT’s capabilities were successfully demonstrated <strong>in</strong> British<br />
Columbia <strong>in</strong> September 1999. Under an <strong>ESA</strong> contract, MDA –<br />
a company with extensive expertise <strong>in</strong> space-based operations<br />
<strong>and</strong> transportable equipment – teamed up with the British<br />
Columbia Forest Service, which has the responsibility for<br />
fight<strong>in</strong>g forest fires, protect<strong>in</strong>g communities <strong>and</strong> timber<br />
resources <strong>in</strong> an area of over one million square kilometres. The<br />
Service deals with over 3000 fires per year, <strong>and</strong> is<br />
<strong>in</strong>ternationally recognized for its emergency-management<br />
operations.
REMSAT <strong>in</strong> action <strong>in</strong> British Columbia<br />
REMSAT can access a variety of satellite systems currently<br />
available. Dur<strong>in</strong>g the 19-day fire simulation, position<strong>in</strong>g<br />
functions were provided by GPS, messag<strong>in</strong>g by the Orbcomm<br />
satellite system, <strong>and</strong> low/high-data-rate voice <strong>and</strong> video<br />
services by the Canadian satellite system Anik. This <strong>in</strong>cluded<br />
high-speed communications for fire-fight<strong>in</strong>g crews, augmented<br />
data <strong>and</strong> video images, <strong>and</strong> up-to-date position <strong>and</strong> status<br />
<strong>in</strong>formation for all resources (<strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g aircraft, heavy<br />
equipment <strong>and</strong> fire crews). It supported fire attack plann<strong>in</strong>g,<br />
while provid<strong>in</strong>g high-speed communication between mobile<br />
fire-control centres <strong>and</strong> additional background <strong>in</strong>formation to<br />
help <strong>in</strong> fire modell<strong>in</strong>g, prediction <strong>and</strong> suppression.<br />
Arrangements are under way for the system to be fully tested<br />
through deployment to fight a major fire.<br />
REMSAT can also be adapted to meet the needs of many other<br />
types of emergencies, such as earthquakes, floods,<br />
exceptionally severe w<strong>in</strong>ter<br />
conditions, <strong>and</strong> those <strong>in</strong>volv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
hazardous materials. MDA has been<br />
work<strong>in</strong>g with emergency <strong>and</strong><br />
disaster-management agencies <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Canada</strong>, the USA, Mexico <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong> to supply REMSAT-based<br />
disaster-management systems.<br />
11
<strong>Space</strong>-derived f<strong>in</strong>gerpr<strong>in</strong>t reader<br />
(K<strong>in</strong>etic Services Inc.)<br />
While <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong> the countries of <strong>Europe</strong> share a conviction<br />
that space offers unlimited prospects for the future, they<br />
recognize the fundamental need to spread risk <strong>and</strong> f<strong>in</strong>ancial<br />
burdens as widely as possible, to obta<strong>in</strong> the<br />
maximum leverage for their <strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong><br />
space. Also, s<strong>in</strong>ce diverse expertise <strong>and</strong><br />
experience is required for success <strong>in</strong> space<br />
programmes, <strong>in</strong>ternational cooperation allows<br />
each party to focus on develop<strong>in</strong>g specialities <strong>in</strong><br />
areas of greatest <strong>in</strong>terest.<br />
Experience suggests that the cooperation<br />
between <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> has been beneficial to both<br />
sides, <strong>and</strong> studies have borne this out. In 1996, CSA commissioned<br />
a complete external evaluation of<br />
<strong>Canada</strong>’s cooperation with <strong>ESA</strong> s<strong>in</strong>ce 1978,<br />
which showed that <strong>Canada</strong>’s objectives for<br />
this relationship have been achieved.<br />
Canadian <strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong> <strong>ESA</strong> have resulted<br />
<strong>in</strong> significant direct contracts to Canadian<br />
companies <strong>and</strong> follow-on sp<strong>in</strong>-off sales,<br />
promot<strong>in</strong>g the development of the <strong>in</strong>dustry<br />
as a whole. Corporate alliances for the <strong>ESA</strong><br />
12<br />
Flameproof textiles from Ariane, <strong>in</strong> Toronto’s Skydome<br />
programmes have led to numerous<br />
other commercial opportunities for<br />
Canadian <strong>in</strong>dustry. Canadian<br />
<strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> <strong>ESA</strong> projects has<br />
helped Canadian space projects such<br />
as Radarsat <strong>and</strong> the Anik series of<br />
communications satellites.<br />
The <strong>Europe</strong>an partners were also conv<strong>in</strong>ced that cooperation<br />
with <strong>Canada</strong> had brought similar benefits to <strong>Europe</strong>. <strong>Canada</strong>’s<br />
worldwide lead <strong>in</strong> certa<strong>in</strong> technologies has also been of<br />
benefit to <strong>ESA</strong>, to which Canadian <strong>in</strong>dustry br<strong>in</strong>gs a strong<br />
technology base. Also, when work<strong>in</strong>g as partners <strong>in</strong> <strong>ESA</strong><br />
programmes, Canadian <strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an companies have<br />
learned much about their respective management practices<br />
<strong>and</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess cultures, <strong>and</strong> have developed numerous close<br />
commercial partnerships.<br />
In summary, <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> have similar objectives for<br />
<strong>in</strong>ternational cooperation: to diversify <strong>and</strong> re<strong>in</strong>force their roles<br />
<strong>in</strong> space, <strong>and</strong> to foster closer collaboration <strong>in</strong> science <strong>and</strong><br />
technology research. They seek to develop <strong>and</strong> demonstrate<br />
advanced systems <strong>and</strong> technologies by participat<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> large<br />
Anik-D
space projects on a cost-shar<strong>in</strong>g basis, <strong>and</strong> to support the<br />
competitiveness of their space <strong>in</strong>dustries through alliances <strong>and</strong><br />
two-way technology transfers between <strong>Europe</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Canada</strong>.<br />
<strong>ESA</strong> <strong>and</strong> CSA mission objectives are almost identical. Both have<br />
a mission to promote the development of space science <strong>and</strong><br />
technology for exclusively peaceful purposes. Both agencies<br />
seek to promote the competitiveness <strong>and</strong> success of their<br />
<strong>in</strong>dustries through technology development programmes <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>novative <strong>and</strong> flexible fund<strong>in</strong>g mechanisms. Cooperation has<br />
brought substantial socio-economic benefits on both sides of<br />
the Atlantic, <strong>and</strong> strengthened the bonds between <strong>Canada</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> <strong>in</strong> critical areas of science <strong>and</strong> technology.<br />
Increas<strong>in</strong>gly, this <strong>in</strong>ter-agency cooperation is now<br />
complemented by strong commercial partnerships between<br />
Canadian <strong>and</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an space companies.<br />
Look<strong>in</strong>g to the future, space cooperation between <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>ESA</strong> promises to cont<strong>in</strong>ue to be mutually beneficial <strong>and</strong><br />
productive, result<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> solid benefits for both <strong>Canada</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
<strong>Europe</strong> while provid<strong>in</strong>g benefits for all humanity – benefits that<br />
transcend all borders.<br />
<strong>ESA</strong> Head Office, Paris<br />
13
Vancouver B.C., from ERS<br />
14