Although Canada doesn't have the capability to launch its own satellites, that doesn't mean that we aren't active in space. The ISS uses a successor to the Shuttle's Canadarm, and Canada has launched an extensive array of remote sensing satellites. Several Canadian astronauts have served on Shuttle flights and missions to the ISS, including Chris Hadfield, who was the station commander for six months.
The director of the Canadian Space Agency recently spoke with NasaSpaceflight about Canada's history in space and plans for the future.
“The 24 years is interesting because to get policy coverage for Gateway, we had to get approval for the whole life cycle of the program,” said Leclerc. “So not only designing and delivering, but operating Canadarm3 on Gateway as well.”
“And that reflects also the fact that this is a long-term commitment for Canada. Gateway is the first step, and then we’re going to look and propose to Government another major contribution for lunar surface exploration and Mars.”
Exactly what those “major” contributions are will have to be seen in CSA’s proposals; however, CSA is already committed to fostering the creation of the first Canadian science experiments that will go to the surface of the Moon.
“We’ve already received funding for the next five years to develop and launch, with commercial partners, the first payloads, the first science experiments, the first Canadian science experiments that will go to the surface of the Moon,” Leclerc added proudly.
The Mars element — at the very least — likely includes a Synthetic Aperture Radar (based on technology from Canada’s ongoing RADARSAT missions) for a proposed NASA/CSA Mars Exploration Ice Mapper orbiter. The mission would detect non-polar water regions on Mars for future robotic and human missions to the Red Planet.
No comments:
Post a Comment