Grants and Contributions

Apsis Science and Technology Inc. proposes to develop a novel Software Defined Radio, utilizing the JESD 204b digital interface standard, to adopt cutting edge radio transceiver chipsets from Analog Devices, Inc. This standard enables modular, plug-and-play selection for high speed (>1 GSPS) ADCs, DACs, Mixed Signal transceivers, and Direct Conversion receivers operating up to V-band. The company will support a wide catalog of these chipsets with radiation testing heritage and built-in driver support. For this project, the company will develop a prototype and provide engineering models to select customers. Several prominent Canadian space companies have indicated a clear interest in this product. By virtue of its software defined design, it can be used as a general-purpose radio transmitter/receiver, or as the foundation of a radio communication system. Apsis Tech will offer this product domestically and internationally, creating solid Canadian jobs while serving the Canadian and international space industries.

Active interrogation techniques using neutron beams are typically used for material identification and elemental analysis over a broad spectrum of space and terrestrial applications. Space applications include searching for volatiles, geological characterization, and (eventually) prospecting to enable mining and in-situ resource utilization; applications on Earth include explosives and narcotics detection in security arenas. BTI is proposing to develop a simple, miniature, ruggedized ion source as a component of future neutron generators and ion-beam probes. The miniaturized device will help accommodate payload mass and volume constraints, while the low complexity will reduce fabrication costs and improve reliability. In many surveying applications, there is a desire to use a broadly dispersed beam rather than one intense point source. An affordable, miniature ion source could be used to populate an interrogation zone with an array of many small generators, thereby offering a unique capability relative to the current state-of-the-art.

CSMC is actively developing Canada’s only space Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) — the Low Enriched Uranium Nuclear Reactor (“LEUNR”) — a flagship capability to help establish Canada’s international leadership in an increasingly strategic and competitive domain for space nuclear. The proposed work seeks to validate the conceptual performance of the reactor through representative, unfueled testing on CSMC’s analog reactor, and inform CSMC’s work to raise LEUNR’s readiness from its TRL 4/5 Conceptual Design to a TRL 6 Detailed Design by the end of the project. Commercial space activities have been growing rapidly for the past decade as space agencies, militaries, and private entities race towards long-duration missions, lunar bases, and Mars exploration. CSMC’s LEUNR MMR represents a singularly compelling solution to address the renewed and urgent need to develop modular, safe, and scalable fission solutions for space.

Rocket Lab Toronto is a prime global manufacturer of new-space reaction wheels with 1500+ units sold to 70+ spacecraft manufacturing companies around the world. However, all current products are suited for satellites smaller than 400 kg and not suitable for medium-sized telecommunication missions in low-earth or higher orbits which in recent years have seen a significant increase in demand.

Through design and development of a reaction wheel with larger angular momentum capacity under this project, Rocket Lab’s Toronto division will expand its reaction wheel products reach to a much larger market and new applications. It will be able to supply the Canadian sovereign telecommunication constellation needs that are currently reliant on foreign products. Rocket Lab’s “careful COTS” low-cost approach is based on research, selection, and testing of commercial components and qualifying them for severe rocket and space environments. This project benefits Canada strategically by providing it with a sovereign product. It will also add high paying jobs and bring millions of dollars of international revenue to the country.

Spaceflight produces deleterious effects on multiple physiological systems (e.g., cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory, and postural controls) with astronauts in isolation and confinement (IC) in a microgravity environment. IC studies conducted on the ISS and the ground generally demonstrated altered neuro-immunomodulated responses, whose mechanisms may be related to chronic stress dysregulating the central nervous system (CNS). However, the effects of IC on CNS insult and multi-omic responses are yet to be investigated. The research team proposes to analyze datasets of previous flight experiments from NASA’s OSDR and Vivaldi 1 & 2 transcriptomic data from dry immersion analogue study. They aim to generate new knowledge and understanding of human spaceflight risks associated with CNS dysfunctions and contribute to evidence-based, prophylactic countermeasure development to mitigate the adverse risks associated with current spaceflight. Moreover, this research aims to translate this understanding to improve the health of Canadians on Earth who may be affected by related adverse effects.

Recent findings suggest that the venous thromboembolisms (VTE) may occur during spaceflight. Jugular vein thrombosis is rarely reported on Earth, but is associated with relatively poor outcomes. Therefore, there is a need to evaluate the upper body venous system, and the effects of microgravity on venous blood flow, blood viscosity, vessel distension, and inflammation. It is also necessary to provide a better description of the molecular mechanisms by assessing how blood clotting genes are differentially expressed under microgravity. To this end, the proposed research will 1) identify jugular vein status and coagulation changes in spaceflight analogue of dry immersion and bed rest by analysis of blood samples, and 2) investigate the molecular mechanisms that underlie the risk of VTEs by assessing the genes associated with coagulation. The outcome of this project would be a better understanding of the potential underlying mechanisms of VTEs in spaceflight.

This proposal aims to engage post-secondary students from under-represented groups in the Canadian space sector by providing enriching, hands-on learning activities, internship opportunities, and mentoring programs.
The project enhances awareness of space careers and fosters a supportive network, facilitating the hiring and retention of diverse talents in the space industry. Despite the growing interest in space-related careers, Indigenous and first-generation students within Northern Ontario face barriers in accessing opportunities in the Canadian space industry.

The Northern Horizons proposal seeks to address these challenges by creating an inclusive environment where students can gain knowledge, practical experience, and professional networks essential for thriving in this sector. The project will include:
• Quarterly workshops focused on space-related medical and science themes.
• Training on securing internships in space companies and research organizations.
• Mentoring for students with mentors from diverse backgrounds within the space sector, including monthly virtual mentoring meet-ups to discuss career paths and industry trends.
• Bi-annual networking events to connect students from various regions, allowing them to share experiences and build professional relationships.

Muscle atrophy is a condition characterized by the shrinking and weakening of muscles impacting everyday activities. It can occur during extended periods in space due to reduced gravity, as well as in various conditions on Earth, including inactivity, aging, injuries, and diseases. In previous research, the research team identified a protein called Staufen1 that plays a key role in the early stages of muscle atrophy across various conditions, including ground-based human and mouse models of microgravity. Their current research aims to determine if muscle atrophy can be reduced or prevented by modulating Staufen1 levels. In addition, they aim to identify FDA-approved drugs targeting Staufen1. The results of this study have the potential to accelerate the development of new treatments and countermeasures to effectively combat muscle atrophy in diverse conditions.

The use of inhaled volatile anesthetics presents an occupational hazard to a crew from unintentional exposure during a leak or accidental disconnection. Spinal anesthesia presents one opportunity to provide safe anesthesia for a variety of surgical procedures. The onset, duration, and spread of spinal anesthesia depends on the natural curvature of the spinal column, and the relationship relies exclusively on gravity, and the effect of low-gravity environments on the behaviour of spinal anesthesia is unknown. The research team aims to investigate the behaviour of common spinal anesthetic medications in reduced gravity conditions using a 3D printed model of a spinal canal obtained from CT images. They expect that baricity will play a negligible impact on anesthetic spread once gravity is removed.

The pair of menisci in each knee joint protects the cartilage of the joint from excessive stress and enables humans to walk or run with stable knees. However, the meniscus is prone to traumatic tears, especially during sports-related activities, with very little ability to repair itself and presenting a major risk for developing knee osteoarthritis. Recent work from the research team shows that the cells making up the meniscus are diverse. Some cells exhibit features that can repair the meniscus, some display osteoarthritis-like response to space’s low gravity and others show superior ability to make the proteins that support meniscus’ mechanical function in the knee. The research team will study the diverse population of human meniscus cells after exposure to low and high gravity conditions of spaceflight missions using a specialized machine to replicate the gravity conditions of spaceflight missions. They hope their work will shed light on meniscus repair and osteoarthritis.