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satellite, MOST—and to leverage Canada’s participation in larger internationalprograms, such as the U.S.-led Phoenix mission to Mars. In some areas of spacescience, this approach has enabled Canada to, in the words of one researcher,“punch above its weight.”Approved by the federal government in 2005, the Canadian Space Strategy isthe framework that guides the development of the CSA’s programs. It has fourmajor thrusts:• Earth Observation: to look down upon Earth to monitor and protect life below;• Space Science and Exploration: to look out into the depths of space to exploreand discover more about the universe and our place within it;• Satellite Communications: to look upon space as a means of communicatingwith each other by relaying information via satellites; and• Space Awareness and Learning: to look upon space as a source of inspirationto inform Canadians about their country’s advances in science and technology,and increase the scientific literacy among our citizens.The missions and research projects supported by the Space Science Programfall primarily within the first two thrusts—Earth Observation, and Space Scienceand Exploration.Earth ObservationCanada is a large country with a small population concentrated near its southernborder. Much of its territory, especially in the North, is remote, isolated, andenvironmentally harsh. Monitoring and managing this sprawling land, itsenvironment and its natural resources is an enormous challenge—one for whichspace-based observing systems are uniquely suited. No other options offer thesame breadth of access in a cost-efficient way.The objective of the Earth Observation (EO) thrust, which accounts for thelargest part of the CSA’s budget, is to establish and maintain Canada’sleadership in developing and using space-based observations to support nationalpriorities. These priorities fall into three categories: the environment, resourceand land-use management, and security and foreign policy.All Earth systems—the atmosphere, the oceans, land surfaces, and thebiosphere—are included. Space science activities contribute significantly toEO projects, particularly in atmospheric research, exploring issues of particularrelevance to Canada such as the state of the ozone layer over the Arctic.6
At the same time, Canada is an active participant in international programs, andcontributes both technology and scientific expertise to studying globalenvironmental and resource issues. For example, data gathered by MOPITT, aCanadian-built instrument carried on a NASA satellite, is being used to map howpollutants migrate around the planet.The data produced by CSA’s EO thrust are intended to assist the government inpolicy-making and provide Canadians with tangible benefits. Space-basedobservations are crucial to a wide range of economic, environmental and securityservices: from forecasting the weather, monitoring sensitive ecosystems, andmanaging forests, to providing ice monitoring and mapping, surveillance ofcoastal waters, and protecting people and infrastructure from natural hazardsand helping them recover from disasters.Earth observation data play a significant role in measuring air and water qualityand pollution levels, and enhance Canada’s ability to employ sustainablemanagement of its natural resources, fisheries, agriculture and land use—foursectors that generate more than 42% of the country’s exports and account for14% of Gross Domestic Product.The EO thrust is particularly significant for understanding, monitoring andmanaging Canada’s most challenging environments: the North and its extensivecoastline—the longest in the world. These vast regions, containing relatively littleinfrastructure, are difficult and expensive to monitor using technologies based onEarth.The EO thrust also play a key role in helping Canada meet its needs forsurveillance and law enforcement on land, in coastal waters, and at its borders.EO data are also useful to support foreign policy initiatives, such aspeacekeeping activities, treaty verification, and delivering humanitarian aid.Space Science and ExplorationAt the heart of the CSA’s Space Science and Exploration thrust are these threeobjectives:• To better understand the solar system and the universe;• to seek signs of life in extraterrestrial habitats; and• to prepare for permanent human presence in spaceand on other planets.7
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photographed by the lander cameras
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degrees Celsius, they’re probably
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service on the way.” Natural Reso
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The amount of data generated by the
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Because of this, “measuring ozone
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objective of the OSIRIS project, bu
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