Grants and Contributions

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.

This project entitled « Cosmology from the Stratosphere: Gravitational waves and Gravitational lensing with Spider and SuperBIT » aims to develop and fly the Spider and SuperBIT telescopes. Spider will search for gravitational waves from moments after the Big Bang, providing a unique view of the early Universe. SuperBIT, by providing large images of distant galaxies with detail comparable to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, will help to probe the distribution of dark matter through distortions in space caused by gravity.
Although the capabilities of current conventional balloon platforms provide some of the benefits of space- based observations, the unique combination of sub-arc second stability for long exposure and wide-field observations over nearly one hundred nights would represent a fundamentally new capability, and for astrophysics at optical wavelengths in general. SuperBIT will usher in an era of low-cost, frequent access to space-like observing conditions that will benefit a wide range of astronomy, astrophysics, and cosmology objectives.

This project entitled « , AVATARS: Arctic Validation And Training for Atmospheric Research in Space » will use the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) at Eureka, Nunavut as a “space station on the ground”, enhancing its instruments and contributing to the validation of data from current and upcoming space missions. The project will include the development of techniques for remote operation and automation of instruments, improved data analysis, and the use of PEARL atmospheric measurements to validate global satellite data products.
This project will be contributing to the development of hardware and software for atmospheric remote sounding and new and improved retrieval strategies for trace gases, aerosols, and clouds. It will also enable participation in new validation efforts associated with OCO-2 and TROPOMI and possibly with future missions such as China's carbon dioxide observation satellite TanSat.

This project entitled « HiCIBaS - High-Contrast Imaging Balloon System » aims to develop and test a promising new type of Low-Order Wave Front Sensor (LOWFS) to study and characterize its performance at 40 km and the typical PSF instabilities and anomalies encountered in near space in the visible. The stratospheric balloon is a perfect platform to test advanced technologies on a space-like environment before their use for space applications. This test bed will allow further expansion into a more complete high contrast imaging observatory to be flown for dedicated exoplanet candidate observations.
This project aims to increase our knowledge bydeveloping and testing a generic precision pointing telescope system that can be used in future missions requiring sub-milli-arcsecond level pointing (e.g. high contrast imaging missions).

This project entitled « CubeSat Electrodynamic Tether Deorbit Experiment (CETDE) » fosters the development of a critical mass of researchers and HQP in Canadian Space Sector by conducting a CubeSat Electrodynamic Tether Deorbit Experiment.
The experiment involves two CubeSats linked by a 400m bare tape electrodynamic tether (EDT), to be launched from the International Space Station. It will demonstrate the propellant less EDT propulsion technology, the feasibility of deorbiting end-of-mission/dysfunctionnal satellites and space debris by EDT and new ideas in conducting science experiments using Tethered CubeSats.

This project entitled « Energetic Particle Explorer (EPEx) » consists of three balloon flights to be launched in summer 2017, each flight will carry two made in Canada instruments. The instruments will examine the impact of high-energy particles raining down on Earth's atmosphere. These particles are episodically released from Earth's Van Allen radiation belts and strike the atmosphere over Canada and other Northern countries. This information will increase our understanding of high-energy particle precipitation and its effect on our environment.

This project entitled « Using simulated microgravity to understand bone loss & develop countermeasures in space » studies on long duration space missions have shown that, due to weightlessness, astronauts may lose as much as twenty percent of their bone mass, which leads to a significant increase in risk of fractures and other complications. After studying two of the major bone cells in space, this project will now use simulated microgravity to analyze osteocytes, the major mechanical sensing cells in bone. This project involves developing in vitro assays within a simulated microgravity platform to understand the influence of weight on osteocyte form and function.
The studies of bone in a simulated microgravity environment (Synthecon) will also allow a controlled, detailed analysis of the osteoporotic disease process in astronauts.

The project long-term objectives are ; to publish the Bone Drop technology for broad implementation by researchers studying diverse cell types, identify candidate genes affected by simulated microgravity in osteocytes to be commercialized for therapeutic interventions and distribute a sound, accessible fitness program to improve the lives of Canadians. Normally, astronauts are difficult to study in space due to numerous countermeasures being applied simultaneously. Thus, there is a pressing need to utilize controlled, reproducible, simulated microgravity platforms for developing novel countermeasures and assessing their effectiveness in preventing bone loss.