Grants and Contributions:

The Balloon-borne Very Long Baseline Interferometry Experiment

21FAQUEA18

$299,182.00

Mar 28, 2022 - Feb 28, 2026

To clearly map small and distant objects in space, such as black holes in nearby galaxies, astronomers point radio telescopes from all over the world at the same location in the sky. Later, they combine the recorded light waveforms using software on powerful computers, generating an interference pattern that can be used to map out the distant object, as though it was observed with a telescope the size of the Earth. The goal of the Balloon-borne Very Long Baseline Interferometry Experiment (BVEX) is to demonstrate that a telescope suspended from a high-altitude stratospheric balloon can be used as an interferometry station. Stratospheric balloons operate above 99.5% of the Earth’s atmosphere, so they should be ideal for observing the high frequency light needed to resolve more distant black hole shadows. To achieve this goal, BVEX will use a GPS system and accelerometers to track the 3-D position of a small radio telescope to an unprecedented resolution. This project will demonstrate stratospheric balloon interferometry at cm wavelengths, and provide practice to students in the field of space-like missions and interferometry, offering training for a new generation of highly qualified scientists, engineers, high-tech and aerospace professionals. The results obtained in this experiment will be used to launch similar, follow-on projects in the future.

Canadian Space Agency

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.

Kingston, Ontario, CA K7L 3N6

003-2021-2022-Q4-00030

Grant

Grants and Contributions

Academia

The initial end date of this grant agreement was February 28, 2025.

Sep 21, 2023

Queen's University

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

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.