Grants and Contributions

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..

Innovation in satellite communications and satellite earth observation has accelerated during the last decade. Advances in scientific instruments hosted aboard payloads, as well as high throughput communication satellites, have led to a wealth of information being handled by satellite ground stations in Canada and around the world. These spacecraft technology developments have driven a need for progress in satellite ground infrastructure.

One of the key new technologies in satellite ground stations is the transport of satellite communication signals in a digital manner rather than using conventional analog approaches. This is commonly referred to as RF over IP. However, current product offerings of this type do not work reliably in the field due to real-world conditions and impairments. This project envisions the research and development of a high performance RF over IP device that overcomes these real-world impairments by using packet forward error correction, wideband equalization, packet buffering and compression to provide robust data transfers. The benefits include easily accessible scientific earth observation data and reliable satellite communications at a reduced cost to satellite operators, both of which are favourable for a large country like Canada.

During the development of a spacecraft, a computer thermal model is developed to predict temperatures and ensure that the spacecraft components will operate within an acceptable temperature range during all phases of the mission. This model is used both during design and after launch to ensure spacecraft safety during possible operational scenarios.

A key component to these thermal models is the determination of environmental heat loads on the spacecraft. The environmental heat loads considered are typically direct and albedo solar radiation as well as infrared radiation from planets and moons. The main objective of this project is to develop advanced numerical methods using cutting edge GPU technologies for the very fast, accurate determination of these environmental loads.

The subsequent benefits to the Canadian population is that deployment of these methods will allow companies participating in space programs to design their spacecraft more reliably with a shorter product lifecycle.

New algorithms and applied machine learning techniques are used to overcome such major challenges of vision-based spacecraft relative navigation systems.

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 project aims at creating a relevant environment to integrate fiber and satellite links in a combined Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) network. The environment will enable development of software suitable to deploy in a satellite payload and validate key routing protocols required for a mixed fiber and satellite QKD network. Cryptography is a pillar for secure communication, enabling many of the network-based social and financial interactions at the core of the modern society and economy. Cryptographic schemes are based on sharing cryptographic keys between the communicating parties and need technologies for establishing such keys. This is a challenge particularly for Canada, due to its geographical expanse. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) aims at creating shared cryptographic keys by exploiting the fundamental laws of quantum physics. Satellite-based QKD networks working in conjunction with terrestrial QKD networks expands the limited coverage range inherent in terrestrial QKD networks.

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..

This will be accomplished in the following ways:
• Through partnership and joint management of distinctions based investments that will enhance and expand Indigenous ELCC, and support the transfer of ELCC to Indigenous organizations;
• Strengthening foundational supports for Indigenous ELCC through, for example, Indigenous led quality improvement projects; and
• Adapting and improving existing federal programs to be more flexible, adaptable and horizontal across federal departments as a first step prior to transferring control, so that programs cohesively support the goals of the Framework including supporting self determination.

This will be accomplished in the following ways:
• Through partnership and joint management of distinctions based investments that will enhance and expand Indigenous ELCC, and support the transfer of ELCC to Indigenous organizations;
• Strengthening foundational supports for Indigenous ELCC through, for example, Indigenous led quality improvement projects; and
• Adapting and improving existing federal programs to be more flexible, adaptable and horizontal across federal departments as a first step prior to transferring control, so that programs cohesively support the goals of the Framework including supporting self determination.