Grants and Contributions

The Mars Helicopter Ingenuity that accompanied NASA’s Mars 2020 Rover Perseverance was a successful demonstration of the use of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) in planetary exploration. The identification of high priority samples on planetary surfaces is typically
achieved through either rover-only or combined rover/orbiter mission architectures. One of the great benefits of using sUAS in rover operations is the high-resolution “local” view they provide of the field site, filling the gap between wide-area satellite coverage and the “close-up” view provided by rovers.

This project will provide support for Canadian trainees to participate in the NASA funded Rover-Aerial Vehicle Exploration Network (RAVEN). The RAVEN project seeks to test mission architectures that integrate both sUAS and rovers for the future exploration of Mars. The specific goals of this project are to support the RAVEN team during field-based deployments at the Holuhraun analogue site, a lava flow field in Iceland, through assistance in testing different science operations plans for rover, sUAS, and combined rover/sUAS mission architectures, and determining the ideal instrumentation suite on a rover platform for planetary exploration.

By including sUAS in planetary exploration, we will provide new and improved operational scenarios for landed missions on other planets and moons. This project will also provide opportunities for Canadian trainees to work alongside researchers in different disciplines from other countries, immersing them in real-life science operations scenarios. This experience will give the trainees key skills needed for future employment in the Canadian space sector. This project is also an opportunity for Canada to strengthen its participation in international collaborations in this field.

The discovery of Earth-like planets and their atmospheric characterization are a top astrophysics priority. Stars that are smaller than half a solar mass offer potentially the best prospects. Consequently, the Photometric Observations of Extrasolar Transits (POET) mission, which focuses on this question, has been identified as a high scientific priority for space astronomy.

The project aims to optimize the yield of new Earth-like extrasolar planets with the proposed POET micro-satellite mission. The main objectives are to assemble a sample of the 100 best candidate host stars for detecting Earth-like planets with POET, and to test the use of commercial low-cost infrared cameras to improve sensitivity. The validation of commercial infrared cameras for accurate observations could further facilitate their adoption for remote-sensing in disciplines well beyond Astronomy, such as Planetary Exploration, Atmospheric Sciences, and Earth System Science. The stream of junior researchers trained in the POET projects will be well positioned to lead these scientific and technological developments.

The terrains of the Moon and Mars consist of fine granular regolith with embedded rocks. During the Apollo 15 mission, the Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle became stuck in such soil, and had to be freed manually by astronauts. Mars rovers have also suffered mobility challenges including entrapment in soft soil. There had been very limited experimental mobility data collected in reduced gravity to study this problem. Understanding the nature of interactions with granular terrains is thus crucial to exploring these high priority destinations.

The purpose of this project is to study Lunar rover mobility on regolith (loose soil) in reduced gravity. The main objectives are developing guidelines for using on-Earth testing in 1-g, along with modeling and simulation, to predict mobility performance in the Lunar environment.

All aspects of this research, from the reduced-gravity testing to the validation of on-Earth testing and models, position Canada at the cutting-edge of planetary rover research and maintain its global position of leadership in space robotics. Students involved inspire the next generation of Canadians to reach for the stars. The methods developed can be applied to the design of the upcoming Canadian Lunar Rover, as well as any of the other upcoming Lunar or planetary rovers being developed by Canada’s partners around the world.

A number of studies have established statistical links between artificial light at night (LAN) and the risk associated with certain diseases such as hormone-dependent cancers (HDCs). Recent studies with colour images taken by astronauts on the International Space Station show that the blue component of light is strongly linked to the occurrence of HDCs. To better characterize the level of LAN as well as its blue component, it is essential to have multispectral and multi-angular remote sensing techniques for LAN.

The calculations made by the model developed during this project will ultimately make it possible to deduce the risks associated with LAN to the health of Canadians and thus possibly modify usual night lighting practices to minimize these risks. The HABLAN project also provides an opportunity to increase the diversity of space-based science critical to clean growth and monitoring the health of the planet and, more specifically, that of Canadians. LAN remote sensing makes it possible to better understand climate change by determining the radiative effect of aerosols, but it also makes it possible to better protect ecosystems and societies against the adverse effects of night light on living organisms. In addition, the issue of reducing light pollution offers great opportunities for education and increased awareness among Canadians.

There is little attention on the potential impact of spaceflight associated low gravity (microgravity) on joint health. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, and it primarily affects the mechanical loading bearing structures of the joint. Its negative effect on patients' quality of life is enormous. Over 10% of the Canadian population suffer from osteoarthritis, and the most common joint affected is the knee. Knee osteoarthritis is prevalent in females. The reason for the high incidence of knee osteoarthritis in females is not fully understood.

This project will explore the use of simulated microgravity to understand the basis of the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis in females. The findings of this project have the potential to discover novel drug targets for treating knee osteoarthritis to alleviate the burden of the disease in Canada and globally. Additionally, the project can potentially advance the use of simulated microgravity to study other joint disorders.

Observing and resolving the complex interactions that occur between the solar wind, the ionosphere and the neutral atmosphere are critical to understanding the role of the upper atmosphere and space weather in the sun-earth system.

The Ion-Neutral Coupling Experiment (INCE) aims to help close these gaps through the development and field testing of a new low cost, compact polarization interferometer. It is designed to observe thermospheric neutral winds from the ground and ultimately from space. Simultaneous and coincident measurements of neutral winds using this instrument and plasma drift parameters using existing ionosonde infrastructure are planned. These measurements will provide a detailed and unique window into ion-neutral coupling.

Spaceflights pose risk on the cerebrovascular health of astronauts because humans are not accustomed to living under microgravity conditions. To facilitate cerebrovascular health assessments, it is essential to monitor cerebral blood flow accurately.

This project will seek to advance the state-of-art in monitoring cerebral blood flow in astronauts (and humans on Earth) by designing a new non-invasive diagnostic tool that can robustly measure the volume flow rate through the internal carotid artery that supplies circulation to the brain. These space physiology investigations and engineering innovations will be crucial for understanding the cerebrovascular health risks of human spaceflights, especially for long-term space missions to Mars that require multiple years of space travel.

Our research investigations will also directly benefit cerebrovascular health monitoring on Earth, particularly in facilitating early detection of cerebral hypoperfusion. As the elderly population is especially at risk of experiencing cerebral perfusion problems, the outcomes of this project will serve well to address diagnostic needs in promoting health aging of the elderly (and the overall Canadian population). In addition, the proposed technology will be relevant for use in remote, resource-limited communities in rural Canada. Moreover, from a talent development perspective, this project will foster several trainees to develop multidisciplinary expertise at the frontiers of space physiology and ultrasound technology. In turn, it will help Canada build an outstanding talent pool for medical device innovations.

NASA has stated the goal of sending humans to the Martian surface by the mid-2030s, and so reconnaissance of potential landing zones needs to be complete before a first landing site can be chosen. Water ice is the most important in situ resource utilization (ISRU) for humans, even above building materials because it can be melted and cleaned to be used as drinking water and rocket fuel. As such, sending humans to locations with abundant and accessible water will enable crewed missions earlier, for lower cost, and with less risk than if the vehicles had to carry enough water to support a full length mission and a return trip.
The goal of the International Mars Ice Mapper (I-MIM) mission is to quantify the presence, depth to, distribution, and purity of water ice in reconnaissance zones that are favorable for future human exploration and colonization.

The purpose of this project is to quantify the performance of L-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and sounder in terrestrial analogue sites in preparation of flight of the L-band radar on the I-MIM mission. The main objectives are to collect, validate, and calibrate airborne SAR and sounding data at locations known to have dry sediment overlying thick ground ice ¿ the types of materials that will be sought on Mars in preparation for ISRU during human exploration of that planet. In order to complete these objectives, ground truth data, will be collected. Further, development and validation of finite difference time-domain (FDTD) radar simulating code will take place as part of the validation and prediction of Mars radar performance.

The primary applications that will come from this is better predicted performance of the Canadian radar that is the anchor payload of I-MIM and faster, more accurate interpretations of the collected data.

The objectives of the Program are: .• promoting volunteerism among seniors; .• engaging seniors in the community through.mentoring of others; .• expanding awareness of elder abuse, including.financial abuse; .• supporting social participation and inclusion of.seniors; and .• providing capital assistance for new and existing.community projects and/or programs for seniors. .

The objectives of the Program are: .• promoting volunteerism among seniors; .• engaging seniors in the community through.mentoring of others; .• expanding awareness of elder abuse, including.financial abuse; .• supporting social participation and inclusion of.seniors; and .• providing capital assistance for new and existing.community projects and/or programs for seniors. .