Grants and Contributions

This project entitled «Flexible Channel Routers and Input Assemblies for High Throughput Satellite Communications» consists of developing the required electronics tailored to meet the demand for an increasingly faster transfer of information via telecommunications satellites. The newest generation of these satellites, called High Throughput Satellites (HTS), offer internet connectivity anywhere in the world at speeds much greater than traditional satellites.

This project entitled «A Dual Frequency, Fully Polarimetric, Digitally Beam Formed, Multichannel SAR Receiver Exciter» aims at advancing the state-of-the-art in the field of space-based radar imagery. The technology would allow the collection of larger amounts of radar image data in two frequency bands. This data would be processed faster and delivered to ground-based users at supercomputer speeds thereby yielding clearer and more detailed images. This technology would be the core element of UrtheCast's planned 16 satellite constellation.

This project entitled «Prototyping of a compact hyperspectral imager» consists of designing and building a prototype of a small, simple hyperspectral imager providing a fine spatial resolution and offering a cost effective solution for satellite constellations. ABB Inc. will also make laboratory measurements of the prototype performance to confirm the hyperspectral imager design approach and validate the suitability and maturity of the underlying technologies.

This project entitled «Novel Ka Wideband Filters and Ancillaries» consists of developing advanced electronics onboard telecommunications satellites in order to meet the increasing demand for larger and faster satellite data throughput. This technology would improve the efficiency at which signal filters on satellites can process and separate multiple signals sent on different frequency channels. It would prevent these signals from interfering with each other while allowing their proper dispatch to the designated end users.

This project entitled «Fifth Generation Switch Actuator» consists of reducing the mass and size of a key mechanical component used aboard telecommunications satellites. This component is called an actuator and is the mechanism responsible for the reliable operation of signal switches. These switches are essential to the proper routing of signals coming into a satellite from a ground user and sent back to another ground user, or users. Since satellites host many of these activator-controlled switches, their mass and size are a key factor in determining which ones will be used in their construction.

This project entitled «Next Generation HTS Flexible Architecture Products» aims to develop state-of-the-art electronics components for telecommunications satellites to provide high data and information traffic throughput. More specifically, this development will yield technical advancements for a component called Output Multiplexer which is essentially responsible for combining separate signals being linked up to a satellite from different ground users and which need to be combined (multiplexed) on-board the satellite before being aggregately transferred to specific ground users.

This project entitled «Three-Dimensional Backscatter X-ray Imaging System for Space Structure Non-destructive Testing » consists of developing a Three-dimensional Backscatter X-ray Imaging System (TBX) that would allow the fast and accurate robotic inspection of large space structures. Since satellites, space vehicles andthe International Space Station (ISS), face many threats each day from space debris, this technology would enable the monitoring of their external shells or solar panels, contributing to extending their operational lifetime. The TBX could be readily integrated onto the Canadarm2 or any future robotic manipulators.

This project entitled « , Prototype Development of the Limb Imaging FTS Experiment (LIFE) for a Stratospheric Balloon » will encompass the end-to-end design and stratospheric balloon test flight of a prototype satellite instrument. The Limb Imaging FTS Experiment (LIFE)
will take detailed measurements of greenhouse gases in a region of the upper atmosphere that is a key link in the Earth's climate system and important for our ability to estimate and predict air quality. Several high qualified personnel will be trained in space science and engineering through the design, development, calibration, balloon flight and analysis of the measurements.

This project entitled « A cryogenic far-infrared Fabry-Perot interferometer as a potential Canadian contribution to the SPICA Safari instrument » aims to develop a cryogenic, far-infrared, Fabry-Perot spectrometer. This spectrometer will employ a novel design that not only builds on Canadian heritage in infrared spectroscopy, but also positions Canada to play a leading role in future far infrared space astronomy missions. If successful, it could be a potential Canadian contribution for the Safari instrument set to be part of the ESA/JAXA SPICA mission.

This project entitled « CALASET: Canadian Atmospheric Laser Absorption Spectrometer Experiment Test-bed » the Canadian Atmospheric Laser Absorption Spectroscopy Experiment Test-bed (CALASET), is a project that will train future Earth and space scientists. These students and trainees will design, build and test an innovative instrument for studying how trace gas concentrations in the atmosphere change with height. The students plan to launch their instrument on a stratospheric balloon from Timmins, Ontario.

CALASET will contribute to the development of Canadian space science and technology by developing a new capacity for validation of satellite limb observations and by implementing a platform to test innovative atmospheric measurement technologies. It also contributes by developing a test platform where the team can take innovative atmospheric measurement technologies generated at ALLSAS and transfer this technology for use in future satellite and space science missions.