Grants and Contributions:

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Title:

Orbital Cloud Infrastructure

Agreement Number:

25STDPZ09

Agreement Value:

$500,000.00

Agreement Date:

Sep 9, 2025 - Feb 29, 2028

Description:

As global data demands increase, traditional ground-based networks face challenges related to bandwidth, latency, and data security. To address these issues, Kepler proposes developing an Orbital Cloud Infrastructure Software Stack for its optically connected satellite constellation. This initiative establishes foundational software to enable customers to request computing resources onboard satellites, which are then scheduled and deployed onto available nodes. Initially focusing on simplified, customer-driven resource allocation and basic workload isolation, this approach optimizes satellite resources and supports scalable in-orbit data processing. The objective is to demonstrate, through ground validation, a practical orbital cloud computing environment at TRL-4, while clearly defining a path to more advanced capabilities such as dynamic workload orchestration, comprehensive multi-tenancy, and enhanced security for future phases. This technology significantly reduces barriers to entry for in-orbit data processing, enabling real-time insights and efficient bandwidth utilization across multiple industry applications.

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:

Toronto, Ontario, CA M6H 4A6

Reference Number:

003-2025-2026-Q2-00039

Agreement Type:

Contribution

Report Type:

Grants and Contributions

Recipient Type:

For-profit organization

Recipient's Legal Name:

Kepler Communications Inc.

Program:

STDP AO 9.3 Space R&D – Next wave of 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 - Next wave of technologies will award non-repayable contributions up to $500,000 per next wave space technology project that expect commercial potential in the medium to long term (i.e., five to ten years).