Grants and Contributions

When rovers explore other planets or celestial objects such as the Moon to collect scientific data, they are programmed to find rocks and other materials based on basic features like shape and texture. During these missions, the connection between rovers and scientists on Earth is often limited by data bandwidth. Mission success would be improved if rovers could be trained to make scientific decisions autonomously and be less reliant on this data connection.

This project will use laboratory studies and field trials to test “neural networks” that help rovers learn how to carry out scientific investigations independently. This includes teaching rovers to make decisions about where to explore, what information to collect, and what data to share with scientists on Earth. The project will position Canada as a leader in autonomous scientific investigation systems. It will also provide technology that can be used in mining and farming on Earth.

Exploring the nature of the universe at its earliest times is one of the most exciting scientific goals in cosmology today. SPIDER is a polarimeter designed to test our most fundamental theories of the beginning of the universe by measuring or constraining the amplitude of primordial gravitational waves.

SPIDER is a set of six telescopes that observe the oldest light we can see, the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation. The second stratospheric balloon flight of SPIDER will take place as part of this project, to observe the Cosmic Microwave Background polarization at three wavelengths. It will be able to produce very high-sensitivity dust maps, allowing for much better removal of foreground dust and better imaging. An efficient suite of software tools will also be developed in order to analyze the raw data from the balloon payload. The data will allow for the testing of fundamental cosmology theories.

Rovers will play an important role in exploring and mapping the rugged terrain on the Moon. They will also be used to find important resources like water or titanium, which will enable astronauts to conduct longer missions.

This project will use the moon-like terrain of Lanzarote, Spain, to demonstrate the ability of rovers to map geological variations across an area. It will also test different tool combinations and search methods to identify which ones are best used by rovers to find and map resources. This project will increase Canadian mining and exploration capabilities on Earth and in space, and train the next generation of highly qualified Canadian personnel in planetary science and exploration. Some of the tools to be tested can be used for better environmental monitoring, which will contribute to the health and well-being of all Canadians.

Nano-rovers and micro-rovers will play a major role in future surface exploration because of their low cost and low mass. Their ability to operate in a rugged, remote environment is important for scientific missions.

This project will answer important design questions to ensure that these rovers are ready to meet the needs of planned missions, including ability to handle terrain, mobility, and guidance, navigation, and control. Two micro-rover platforms will be used to conduct investigations in a single campaign that mimics lunar conditions. This project will help to improve the core capabilities of Canadian industry, increase its competitive advantage, and develop highly qualified personnel.

Canada's annual assessed contribution to the European Space Agency's (ESA) Basic Activities for the calendar year 2019.

The purpose of this grant is to provide support to a team of astronomers from the University of Calgary to analyze multi-wavelength imaging data of the central and northeast regions of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) obtained with ASTROSAT.

This grant provides support to the Canadian science team developing the ultraviolet auroral imager for the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE) mission (http://sci.esa.int/smile/). The main activity of the science team under this grant is to develop models of the scene that will be observed by the imager as it orbits the Earth onboard the SMILE satellite.

Access to space is of critical importance to a broad range of fields of science and industry, including space exploration and telecommunications. However, launching remains a complex and expensive task. There is a need to reduce the cost of access to space by finding novel means of propulsion.

The purpose of this project is to develop a simple and low-cost mean to test how liquefying solid fuels burn under the conditions encountered in a hybrid rocket engine. A novel laboratory-scale facility will be developed for the investigation of the fluid properties of the melt layer formed on the surface of rocket fuel as it burns. The experiment will focus on the development of new propellant formulations for hybrid engines.

Space radiation has damaging effects on human deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a molecule essential for biological function, acting as the genetic code for all life. This challenge has been well documented, but the effectiveness of DNA repair and replication pathways in a zero-gravity environment has yet to be investigated. As we prepare for long-duration missions, there is a need to address this problematic.

This project aims to investigate the function of the DNA polymerase I, an enzyme involved in the repair and replication of DNA, in conditions of microgravity. This experiment will help to increase understanding of the issues related to maintaining the integrity of astronauts' DNA in space.

Significant work is underway to develop affordable platforms for remote sensing space missions. A synthetic aperture radar (SAR) using a group of microsatellites, such as CubeSats, could contribute to reducing the cost of future Earth observation missions.

This project aims to design a reflector array antenna that could be fitted onto a CubeSat for a SAR space mission. It will help develop a Canadian expertise in this area.