Government

The Canadian Astrobiology Network

The Canadian Astrobiology Network (CAN) is an organization of institutions and researchers across Canada who are actively engaged in astrobiological research. The CAN builds on the Canadian Astrobiology Training Program – a six-year ~$1.5M program funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through the Collaborative Research and Training Program. The goal of CAN is to foster collaboration and integration between Canadian scientists and NAI (NASA Astrobiology Institute) partner institutions in the U.S. and around the world.

Canadian Astronaut Field Geology Training

Since the summer of 2011, Western Space researchers led by Dr. Gordon “Oz” Osinski have provided field geology training for Canadian astronauts Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques at meteorite impact craters in Nunavut, The Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.  By doing field work in remote, “desolate” environments on Earth, astronauts can train for the kind of rigours that will await them on planetary bodies. Check out this CSA webpage, to see how the Canadian Arctic provides an excellent training opportunity for astronaut training.

The Canadian Lunar Research Network

In July 2008, the Canadian Lunar Research Network (CLRN) became the first international affiliate partner of NASA’s new Lunar Science Institute (NLSI). Its mission is to foster collaboration amongst Canadian researchers and promote integration with other NLSI partner institutions, both in the U.S. and around the world. The overarching goal of this network is to train highly qualified personnel and develop expertise in lunar science and exploration. Additionally, the CLRN hopes to extend our enthusiasm of lunar exploration to the general public though outreach.

CSA SOAR Grant

SOAR is a joint partnership program between MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. - Geospatial Services Inc. (MDA - GIS) and the Canadian Government through the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the Natural Resources Canada's Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS). The program provides access to RADARSAT-2 data for research and testing purposes. One of the goal of this program is to develop new tools and techniques using RADARSAT-2 imagery to improve geological mapping, land use management and assist resource exploration in the Canadian Arctic.

ExoMars Mars Lander

The first of two missions the lander is expected to arrive at Mars in 2016. Consisting of a Trace Gas Orbiter plus an Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module (EDM), the main objectives of this mission are to search for evidence of methane and other trace atmospheric gases that could be signatures of active biological or geological processes.

CaSSIS – Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System

CaSSIS is a camera on board the ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter that will be able to collect colour stereo images of the surface of Mars at 5- meter/pixel.

Western Space Involvement: Dr. Livio Tornabene (describe role)

ExoMars 2018 Rover – Panoramic Camera (PanCam)

PanCam is a stereo camera on board the ExoMars 2018 rover that will help in revealing the geological characteristics of the Martian environment.

CPSX Involvement: Dr. Gordon “Oz” Osinski is a co-investigator responsible for (describe role).

HiRISE - High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment

HiRISE is a camera on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which collects images of the surface of Mars with resolutions of less than an m/pixel.

Western Space Involvement: As a postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Livio Tornabene served as one of six original Targeting Specialists for the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) onboard the MRO orbiter spacecraft from 2006 to 2009, and is an ongoing Science Team member of the Arizona-based HiRISE Science and Operations Team to present day. Dr. Tornabene and his team help to plan two-weeks worth of the highest resolution images of the surface of Mars.

Mars Science Laboratory – Curiosity Rover

The Mars Science Laboratory is a rover mission intended to determine the habitability of Mars.

Western Space Involvement: Adjunct professor, Dr. John Moores who has been using Curiosity's cameras to analyze ice grains found on Mars to investigate the role ice plays in its water cycle. Post-Doctoral Fellow Raymond Francis who is a Science Team Coordinator and previously worked on the automation of image-processing techniques for atmospheric studies. They are both joined by PhD Candidate Emily McCullough.

NeoSat: Canada’s Sentinel in the Sky

The Near-Earth Object Surveillance Satellite (NEOSSat), launched February 25, 2013, is the latest in a proud family of world-leading Canadian satellites. The world’s first space telescope dedicated to detecting and tracking asteroids and satellites. It circles the globe every 100 minutes, scanning space near the Sun to pinpoint asteroids that may someday pass close to Earth. NEOSSat is also sweeping the skies in search of satellites and space debris as part of Canada’s commitment to keeping orbital space safe for everyone. NEOSSat applies the kind of industry-leading technology for which Canada has become known and has already demonstrated in our very successful Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars (MOST) satellite.

Western Space Involvement: Dr. Peter Brown.

NSERC CREATE - Technologies and Techniques for Earth and Space Exploration

“Technologies and Techniques for Earth and Space Exploration” is an NSERC CREATE program led by Western Space Associate Director Dr. Gordon Osinski, with ten Co-Investigators at UTIAS, York University, Queen’s University, Memorial University and the University of British Columbia. Engineers and scientists train and work side-by-side, and unique opportunities for sharing expertise within and among institutions are provided by means of short courses, interdisciplinary co-supervision of students, Blackboard Collaborate! webconferencing software, internships, annual meetings and the CSA analogue deployment program. Our goal is to prepare Canadian trainees to enter the fields of planetary science, robotic engineering, economic geology and instrumentation development by taking advantage of unique resources and expertise found in Canada and around the world. For more information, please visit create.uwo.ca.