Grants and Contributions

Interference of D-region Electron Density

Map radio wave absorption across Canada using a network of radio receivers, called riometers, to study how space weather affects the use of radio links across Canada.

CHAIM Data Assimilation of SuperDARN

Analyse radar signals of ground scatter that are discarded, filling some gaps in existing measurements of electron density of the atmosphere.

Forecast Polar Ionosphere Plasma Irregularities

Develop a forecast model to help predict the reliability of GPS service in the North.

Assimilative Model for Ionospheric Imaging

Map and track electron density in the atmosphere over Canada, to help predict the forming of structures. Structures in electron density can interrupt GPS signals.

Rock chemistries measured on Mars essentially represent their integrated histories and include contributions from
their igneous starting materials and possibly include sedimentary processes or secondary alteration. Lastly, airfall
dust variably covers rock surfaces. This proposal addresses three of these possible contributions (dust, igneous
precursor, and secondary alteration) to rock compositions analyzed by the mars 2020 rover in Jezero Crater by
micro-textural geochemical and mineralogical data. These studies will aid in achieving the Mars 2020 mission goals
of assessing the Jezero rocks for potential habitability for endolithic lithotrophs and to aid in sample selection.

Coastal areas are of paramount importance for global economic and social development. Vegetated coastal ecosystems provide numerous ecosystem services and are among the most productive habitats and efficient carbon sinks worldwide. Arctic expansion of vegetated coastal ecosystems may play an essential role in future biodiversity and carbon sequestration along the long Canadian coast, but quantitative tools are lacking.

The project proposes to evaluate the potential of two hyperspectral cameras developed within the frame of the WaterSat initiative to assess three major forms of algae found in the sub-arctic marine environment: phytoplankton, fixed and floating patches of macro-algae (e.g., kelp). The work will increase the research team's capability to map environmental parameters from Earth Observation data such as algal biomass and primary productivity, as well as their temporal variability and transportation along the coast.

To improve water resource management in
places that rely on snowmelt, there is a
need for high spatial resolution
observations that are accurate. Radar
observations of snow are sensitive to snow
water equivalent (SWE) but there is
uncertainty in how these observations
should be used to estimate accumulation.

The purpose of this study is to develop and
demonstrate improved methods to estimate
snow accumulation, or SWE, in a Canadian
prairie and alpine environment using
airborne radar remote sensing observations
combined with numerical models. Benefits
are that a feasible high resolution SWE
mapping mission concept can be developed
and demonstrated that can improve snowmelt
flood prediction and meltwater resource
management across many parts of Canada.

CAUSAL ANALYSIS OF CARDIORESPIRATORY COUPLING ON THE ISS
Astronauts face many challenges (space walks) due to the harsh space environment. Proper functioning of heart, lungs, and circulation is required to support these activities, but physical activity becomes more difficult with longer missions. Weightlessness weakens bones, muscles, heart, and blood circulation. Therefore, the ability to monitor vital life signs is important to see if any changes could be life threatening. This study will investigate our new analysis techniques to detect negative effects on the interaction of the heart, lungs and circulation through real-time monitoring with the Bio-M. We will observe astronauts as they exercise before, during and after spaceflight.

Human bodies are best suited to life on Earth. When astronauts travel to space and live in a weightless environment, their cardiorespiratory systems adapt – sometimes in ways that can affect their health. For example, the fluids that circulate in their bodies decrease in volume, which means their blood pressure is lower than on Earth.

Researchers are working to understand more about how astronauts' cardiorespiratory systems decondition when they are in microgravity. CARDIOBREATH looks at what can be done to protect astronauts' blood pressure regulation, by examining how astronauts' cardiovascular and respiratory systems interact with their blood pressure control during missions on the International Space Station.

In the emerging commercial space exploration sector, space companies will deliver government and private payloads to the Lunar surface in each mission. A single spacecraft will carry several payloads, each with different and potentially conflicting priorities and operations requirements. Many will generate a large amount of data that could be left behind on the Moon due to constrained data transfer rates.

The project aims at developing a modular multi-payload communications and data management system that can be easily installed on spacecraft. This system will provide end-to-end data security and integrity for payloads, offer dynamic downlink prioritization for payload data, manage multi-payload command and control operations, provide surface communications for deployed payloads and provide lander-based payload data storage and advanced data processing applications.

This new system will enable space delivery companies to offer high quality of service to their payload customers and ensure that operators can receive all the data that is most relevant to their mission objectives.