Grants and Contributions

Create an accessible outdoor pavilion at the Charles L. McDonald Sports Park

Protection of crew and equipment from space radiation (i.e., galactic cosmic radiation (GCR), solar particle events (SPEs), and neutrons generated from the interactions of the GCR and SPEs with the intervening materials) is key to successful space missions. Exposure protection and management in space is more complicated than terrestrial applications such as nuclear reactors. This is due to difficulties in defining and controlling distances from the source, the larger and higher energy radiation, variation of space radiation with time, and secondary radiation. A further unique challenge for space shielding is the limit on the overall mass load of the spacecraft (e.g., difficulty of propulsion and overall cost).

This project proposes to develop and test multifunctional nanomaterials that are lightweight, resistant against very high temperatures and can withstand mechanical loading and determine their properties under various radiation conditions. Such shielding materials can also benefit nuclear energy and nuclear medicine applications.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are a critical path for meeting clean energy demands on Earth as well as delivering sustainable power to habitats and industrial activities on the lunar surface. However, current efforts to develop novel SMRs are trailing far behind the requirements for both, to the detriment of our planet and scientific exploration. This is especially meaningful in Canada’s Arctic, where diesel generators are accelerating ice melt to disastrous and irreversible effects on the world’s climate. SMR requirements sit at the nexus of timing, technology gaps, and iconic Canadian strengths, and represent a generational opportunity for Canada to lead on the world stage. CSMC has reviewed Canada's rich heritage in nuclear reactors and has determined that by revitalizing a proven and iconic Canadian technology, Canada can propel itself to the forefront of delivering clean, reliable and safe nuclear power, both terrestrial and lunar fission power, years ahead of competing efforts.

Kepler proposes bringing edge computing to the Kepler Network constellation to optimize the customer experience and increase the addressable and the capturable market of the Kepler Network service (always-on connectivity in space). To develop this capability, Kepler will take a phased approach aligned and complementary to its network development and buildout:

Phase 1 – Developing edge compute hardware capable of integration with Kepler’s in space processing architecture.
Phase 2 – Integrating and validating an edge computing algorithm with the hardware from Phase 1.
Phase 3 – Replacing the Kepler spacecraft’s current Main Processing Command Unit (MPCU) with a higher bandwidth, higher performance core to enable more processing power.

High availability and high bandwidth space-to-space communication coupled with edge compute capability will be the backbone of the new space economy. Kepler is uniquely positioned to continue Canadian leadership in deployment of this critical, enabling service to the benefit of Canada and the world.

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.

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.

Payment of voluntary assessed contribution for IAEA Technical Cooperation Fund 2023

SPF’s objective will be achieved by functioning as an innovative, partnership-driven complement to the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ISETS) that fosters more integrated, harmonized, training-to-employment models or acts as a catalyst for the formation and testing of innovative new partnerships in Indigenous labour market development. SPF activities will emphasize joint stewardship and coordination consistent with the Aboriginal Economic Development Framework. Through access to SPF funding, a wider range of Indigenous organizations will deliver Indigenous labour market programming, serving to embed collaboration and maximize leveraging opportunities with industry, federal-provincial-territorial partners, and Indigenous partners

The objectives of the program are to:.•Support greater influence and control over Indigenous ELCC programs and services by Indigenous peoples;.•Improve quality and accessibility of Indigenous ELCC with an emphasis on cultural and language content;.•Support a more holistic and integrated system of quality ELCC services for Indigenous peoples; and.•Adapt and improve existing federal programs to be more flexible, adaptable and horizontal across federal departments as a first step prior to transferring control..

The objectives of the program are to:.•Support greater influence and control over Indigenous ELCC programs and services by Indigenous peoples;.•Improve quality and accessibility of Indigenous ELCC with an emphasis on cultural and language content;.•Support a more holistic and integrated system of quality ELCC services for Indigenous peoples; and.•Adapt and improve existing federal programs to be more flexible, adaptable and horizontal across federal departments as a first step prior to transferring control..