Grants and Contributions:

Agreement Number:

Agreement Value:

$91,845.00

Agreement Date:

Feb 15, 2018 -

Description:

There are around 20,000 human-made Resident Space Objects (RSOs) in orbit around Earth. This includes functioning satellites, as well as non-functional pieces of debris, and these numbers are continuing to rise. It is important to track the location of RSOs in order to prevent potential collisions and damage to functioning satellites. Currently, only small portions of the sky can be monitored by space-based RSO detectors, and Earth-based detectors are limited by cloud cover and daylight cycles. Magellan Aerospace proposes to adapt commercial star trackers, a type of sensor used for high-accuracy pointing in satellites, to detect and track RSOs. Using star trackers is an attractive solution, since almost every satellite in orbit could contribute to the RSO database using existing onboard hardware with no interruption to the satellite's main mission. This technology would greatly enrich the RSO monitoring database and can lead to reduced incidence of RSO collisions through improved monitoring and early warnings.

Organization:

Canadian Space Agency

Expected Results:

-Increased knowledge from research projects in priority space S&T areas (number of new and ongoing space science and technology initiatives and projects).
-Number of completed space science and technology initiatives (Announcement of Opportunity) and proj

Location:

Winnipeg, Manitoba, CA

Reference Number:

003-2017-2018-Q4-03762

Agreement Type:

Contribution

Report Type:

Grants and Contributions

Additional Information:

The amount allocated covers more than one fiscal year.

Recipient's Legal Name:

Magellan Aerospace Ltd.

Program:

Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology

Program Purpose:

This program supports knowledge development and innovation in the CSA's priority areas while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.
The Research Component aims to support the development of science and technology; foster the continual development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada; and support information gathering and space-related studies and research pertaining to Canadian Space Agency priorities.