Grants and Contributions:

Title:
Development of a low SWaP-C optical amplification system for CubeSat applications
Agreement Number:
25STDPX28
Agreement Value:
$766,136.00
Agreement Date:
Sep 4, 2025 - Jun 30, 2027
Description:
This project aims to enhance the communication capabilities of CubeSats—small, cost-effective satellites that are transforming space exploration, communications, and defense. While CubeSats provide affordable access to space, their future potential is limited by constrained data transmission capacity, which hampers their ability to support advanced missions. To address this, the project will develop a compact, high-performance, and cost efficient optical amplifier system to enable high-speed laser communication. With an innovative optical design, this solution will optimize size, weight, and power (SWaP), reduce costs, support large-scale manufacturing, and improve readiness for space deployment. The ultimate goal is to deliver a fully qualified optical amplifier that meets the needs of next-generation CubeSat constellations and missions. This technology will support key applications such as Earth observation, scientific research in space, remote connectivity, and defense, while also strengthening Canada’s leadership and sovereignty in advanced technology and space communications.
Organization:
Canadian Space Agency
Expected Results:

The Research component of the program provides financial support to organizations to conduct space related research and development in priority areas. It will support targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance the Canadian capacity to use space to address national needs and priorities in the future.

Location:
Pointe-Claire, Quebec, CA H9R 1E9
Reference Number:
003-2025-2026-Q2-00013
Agreement Type:
Contribution
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Recipient Type:
For-profit organization
Recipient's Legal Name:
MPB Communications Inc.
Program:
STDP AO 9.1 Space R&D - Advanced Technologies
Program Purpose:

Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan is focused on three priority areas to spur innovation: People, Technologies, and Companies. Working with industry, the Government of Canada will encourage innovation by increasing its support for basic research and development (R&D) in space technology development. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is issuing this Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to support the development of Canadian industrial capabilities in the area of space technologies with the aim of increasing the commercial potential of Canadian space companies to capture global opportunities.

It is paramount that the Canadian space industry remains strong, healthy and relevant, and that it has the required readiness to respond to national demand and the necessary competitiveness to secure an increased share of commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Only through innovation and continued investments in R&D can Canada ensure that it has the industrial depth and breadth to remain a valued player in the international arena.

In light of the above, this AO concerning Space R&D – Advanced Technologies will award non-repayable contributions up to $1M per advanced space technology project that expect commercial potential in the short to medium term (i.e., two to five years).