Grants and Contributions

The proliferation of small satellites in the New Space Era has spurred the development of computational systems deployed on agile CubeSats for onboard detection of cloud and floods. There is a need for scalable space IoT frameworks for satellite edge computing (SEC): In addition to growing real-time data requirements for earth observation applications, capability to perform or offload compute on devices is critical for 1) remote areas, mountains, and sea, where ground resource and connectivity is limited 2) Delay-sensitive applications with multi-domain data for situation awareness. CSI proposes to develop an edge-AI software framework for SEC. It will increase capability of AI deployed on satellites as edge nodes while adapting to new tasks. The framework will assess models and performance to minimize bandwidth. The proposed work is demonstrated on use case in satellite processing, updating models for new scenarios onboard, and has potential for multiple satellites.

Almost all space solar modules utilize one source of space glass. Edgehog has previously demonstrated the superior light transmission of its nanotextured anti-reflection process on this industry-standard glass, showing an impressive 1% absolute gain in energy conversion efficiency. This project seeks to recreate such structures on an alternative space glass, 0214-glass, to alleviate the reliance of an entire industry on one glass supplier. Due to the different chemical composition of 0214-glass, the treatment process must be adjusted to account for differences in physical application and chemical reactivity. Successful process transfer enables further adapting the process for other glass alternatives and other applications like camera lenses. The project will also develop a mass-production lamination process, allowing the enhanced 0214-glass to become a viable alternative to the industry standard. This alleviates major risks in supply chain stability and secures this Canadian process as a crucial part of the supply chain.

This project matures the technology readiness level (TRL) of a wireless energy grid to ultimately support lunar missions in survival and operations in permanently shadowed regions. The project addresses key technical & programmatic research and development areas en route to a space demonstration, critical for supporting the early wave of lunar exploration in accordance with the Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA’s) Lunar Exploration Acceleration Program (LEAP) objectives.

Electron Multiplication Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD) technology stands out from competing technologies due to its ability to count photons accurately. CMOS technology is its closest competitor and attracting more and more interest.

A camera’s controller serves as its brain, i.e. the electronics supporting the detector. Nüvü Caméras, a Canadian company, makes the world’s most sensitive imaging solutions with its photon-counting controllers. To date, its controllers support Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs), EMCCDs and with the help from this project, will also be able to support CMOS detectors.

There are many complex challenges to properly supporting ultra-sensitive detectors, but Nüvü Caméras stands out for its unique ability to support demanding low-flux applications—both on Earth and in space. With this project, Canada will secure its leadership position for years to come by expanding its capacity to support yet another form of innovative imaging technology in line with its recognized expertise in photon-counting imaging.

Current spacecraft rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking systems typically rely on human-monitored or controlled Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems. This project focuses on the research and development of autonomous GNC software specifically for spacecraft rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking applications. Autonomous systems are advantageous as they allow for operation without human intervention, do not rely on intermittent communication windows, work in highly challenging environments (i.e. around the Moon or Mars), and are highly scalable. This project proposes the development of an autonomous GNC system that enables fully autonomous spacecraft docking. This project creates jobs for four highly qualified personnel and is a building block capability for the sustainable use of space through enabling satellite services such as refuelling and space debris removal, while also having Earth-based applications to make the robotics we interact with safer.

The objective of the proposed project is to further develop components necessary to enable a gallium nitride metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (GaN MOSFET) monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) platform. Such platform will be suitable for fabrication of highly-integrable radio frequency (RF) chips with exceptional performance for next-generation satellite communications and spaceborne radar systems. In particular, upon completion, a full Q-band power amplifier MMIC demonstrator will be fabricated to realize the performance benefits of this platform over competing solutions at extremely-high frequencies (EHF). Owing to the nascence of the underlying GaN MOSFET technology, novel fabrication methods and design methodologies will be developed to complete the desired MMIC deliverable. Potential future benefits directly derived from this project include significant improvements to the speed, latency, and cost of satellite internet for the Canadian public through improved satellite communication hardware.

The objective of the proposed project is to advance the concept of an innovative miniaturized instrument, which uses a novel measurement concept for high spatial resolution and high sensitivity satellite-based methane monitoring. The precision of the methane column density measurement is expected to be up to two times better than current technologies, thereby significantly advancing the state of the art in satellite remote sensing of methane. Furthermore, the proposed instrument will have several practical advantages over current technologies including simplified design, reduced manufacturing cost, and increased operational flexibility. Benefits to Canada include the direct application of space technology to fight climate change. The technology is not only applicable for GHGSat’s next generation constellation, but also for hosted payload opportunities and potentially other commercial and governmental Earth observation missions. This instrument concept will help ensure continued leadership of Canada in high-resolution monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions at individual industrial facilities from space.

In the coming years, the initial infrastructure for a future permanent and sustainable lunar base will be deployed. The future lunar economy will prioritize technologies for autonomous, in-situ resource transformation, including part manufacturing by depositing and transforming layers of powder. A future lunar client has already been found and formally supports this project.

To meet these needs and fulfil a NASA requirement, this project will develop a comprehensive system for transforming powders into objects and processed products, as well as tests to demonstrate the fabrication of relevant components for the space industry, such as thermal protection tiles.

In parallel with the project, immediate applications in the Canadian economy will be developed, particularly the treatment of waste from industrial processes (such as aluminum production and 3D laser printing).

The growing small satellite market calls for reliable, affordable launch services to get spacecraft to orbit quickly and safely, but the current availability of these services is limited and expensive. To address this issue, Reaction Dynamics (RDX) is developing a launch vehicle, based on a novel approach to hybrid rocket propulsion, to provide dedicated orbital launch services for small satellites at a quarter of the price of current competitors. This project aims at developing technologies required for a lightweight high performance upper stage, namely a light composite combustion chamber and a refractory alloy nozzle extension. These subsystems will allow RDX to maximize the payload mass of its launcher, while advancing the state of the art in high performance composites and metal 3D printing in Canada, technologies which are applicable to the aerospace sector as whole.

The global space economy is growing rapidly, fueled largely by the proliferation of satellites in Earth orbit. Rather than continually launching new satellites, it is now technologically possible to perform satellite servicing, increasing satellite lifetimes, particularly for high-value satellites further away from Earth. Mission Control proposes to develop key autonomy algorithms and a mission operations software system that will advance the state-of-the-art in onboard autonomy for Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking, to be made commercially available for future satellite servicing operators. These technologies will be developed by upgrading our Orbital Autonomy Lab to a high visual fidelity hardware-in-the-loop facility. The advancement of autonomy algorithms, operations software, and simulation/validation infrastructure will advance Canada’s leadership in space robotics and autonomous satellite servicing, opening new capabilities for satellites to support our livelihood and economy on and off Earth.