Saskatchewan town prepares for launch of Canadian rocket
[size=]Last Updated Tue, 12 Oct 2004 18:06:05 EDT[/size]
KINDERSLEY, SASK. - People in Kindersley, Sask., hope to get a clearer idea this week about the status of the da Vinci project, which aims to send the first Canadian rocket into space. The Toronto-based da Vinci team had planned to enter the X Prize contest, a private space race, with a launch from the Kindersley airport on Oct. 2. The launch was put on hold indefinitely, however, because an important part of the spacecraft hadn't arrived.
Organizers have said they still plan to launch, even though the $10 million US has since been won by an American space venture. This week, the da Vinci project's leader of ground operations, David Grossman, will attend a public meeting in Kindersley to regain some of the confidence lost because of the delay.
"I'm hoping that Mr. Grossman will give us something that we can work upon, and we're hoping that he can give us an announcement for a lift-off date," said Kindersley's mayor, Michael Hankewich. However, it's not expected that Grossman will announce a launch date. But he will begin organizing logistics for the scheduled launch, such as how to recover the spacecraft once it returns to Earth.
Grossman said his team analysed 30 years of weather data to project the most likely landing spot in Elrose, about 80 kilometres from Kindersley. Grossman will also tour the Kindersley area and meet with RCMP and emergency officials.
Elrose fire Chief Ross Oliphant said he's more concerned about rubber-necking drivers on the highway than fallout from the rocket. "If you're looking in the air, you might run into the ditch or run into your neighbour in front of you, which could create a problem," said Oliphant.
The da Vinci team's strategy is to have their spacecraft float to an altitude of about 24,380 metres under a large helium balloon. Once it reaches its peak altitude, rockets will thrust it into space.
A second group, the Canadian Arrow team from London, Ont., is using a vehicle based on a Second World War V2 missile.
Written by CBC News Online staff
Here's a link to the actual 'da Vinci Project':
[url=][/url]
Go da Vinci team!! :great I know they didn't win the X-Prize but maybe this could be a new beginning for the Canadian Space program and or aviation industry.
Mulder
Here's more news on the CSA as provided by CBC.CA:
[a href=\'http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_rajagopalan/20041014.html\' target=\'_blank\']http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_rajago...n/20041014.html[/a]
The article makes an interesting point about how quiet our space agency is in sharing any exciting news or accomplishments it has made. Could they be up to something they don't want us to know about?
Mulder
[span style=\'color:red\']edit: here is the CSA homepage link:[/span] [a href=\'http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/default.asp\' target=\'_blank\']http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/default.asp[/a]
Many people probably wouldn`t even know Canada had it`s own space agency. Thanks for the updates Mulder. There hasn`t even been a mention on the news about this.
Sounds like the CSA plans to send three usefull satellites up, nice to see some of our tax dollars put to some good use.
[span style=\'color:blue\'][span style=\'font-size:14pt;line-height:100%\']New Canadian Satellite Constellation to Assess Environmental Impacts, Ensure Sovereighty[/span][/span]
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, February 25, 2005 - The Honourable David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and Marc Garneau, President, CSA, today announced details of funding in the 2005 federal budget for the development and construction of a series of three Earth observation satellites.
The satellites will monitor environmental impacts on Earth, promote sustainable development and help ensure Canadian sovereignty and security for decades to come.
In the 2005 federal budget, the Government of Canada committed $3 billion for research, regional development and sectoral support. The CSA will receive $111 million of that amount to dedicate to this initiative.
"The Government of Canada is committed to promoting the space component of our aerospace sector through the development of applications that are relevant to Canadians, such as monitoring climate change impacts and protecting our sovereignty," said Minister Emerson. "The Canadian Space Program's leadership in developing and promoting Earth observation applications will increase Canadians' security and provide a better understanding of the environmental health of our country, both now and in the future."
This three-satellite radar constellation will benefit Canada and other nations by providing more timely and comprehensive data than is currently available, and the ability to track ice conditions and support ship navigation in the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes and along Canadian coastlines. It will also support disaster management by detecting oil spills, monitoring floods, aiding forest firefighting, and providing information on the evolution of disaster areas worldwide. The radar constellation will ensure Canadian sovereignty and security through coastal surveillance by satellite in all weather conditions.
"Canada's space community has already demonstrated its leadership in remote sensing through the development of RADARSAT-1 and its successor, RADARSAT-2," said Dr. Garneau. "This constellation will provide more frequent coverage over all of Canada - day and night and in all weather conditions - ensuring radar data continuity for both private and public users well into the next two decades."
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
Here's a link to the latest news from the CSA, looks like some interesting things going on, some of which I have already posted in the Hubble Space Telescope thread:
CSA Astronauts and Satellites: [a href=\'http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/apogee/2005/02_2005.asp\' target=\'_blank\']2005 Program[/a]
I didn't even know that Canada had it own Space Agency [!--emo&:(--][img src=\'style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/upset.gif\' border=\'0\' style=\'vertical-align:middle\' alt=\'upset.gif\' /][!--endemo--] Now I do [!--emo&:D--][img src=\'style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/biggrin.gif\' border=\'0\' style=\'vertical-align:middle\' alt=\'biggrin.gif\' /][!--endemo--] This is the first time I have read this thread.
Thanks Mulder [!--emo&:good:--][img src=\'style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/good.gif\' border=\'0\' style=\'vertical-align:middle\' alt=\'good.gif\' /][!--endemo--]
For those interested the CSA has a new look website, much slicker than the old one for sure. [!--emo&:)--][img src=\'style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/smile.gif\' border=\'0\' style=\'vertical-align:middle\' alt=\'smile.gif\' /][!--endemo--]
[a href=\'http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/default.asp\' target=\'_blank\']http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/default.asp[/a]
[span style=\'color:blue\']About the Canadian Space Agency[/span]
Established in 1989 and with headquarters situated in Longueuil, Quebec, the Canadian Space Agency is responsible for coordinating all civil, space-related policies and programs related to science and technology research, industrial development, and international cooperation on behalf of the Government of Canada.
The Canadian Space Agency directs its resources and activities through four key thrusts: Earth Observation, Space Science and Exploration, Satellite Communications, and Space Awareness and Learning. With the overall responsibility for advancing Canada's space policy and programs, the Canadian Space Agency leverages international cooperation to champion world-class scientific research and industrial development for the benefit of humanity.
Great site,looks good.Thanks for the link Kevin [!--emo&:good:--][img src=\'style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/good.gif\' border=\'0\' style=\'vertical-align:middle\' alt=\'good.gif\' /][!--endemo--]
Onwards and upwards, no slowing down at our national space agency. [!--emo&:good:--][img src=\'style_emoticons/[#EMO_DIR#]/good.gif\' border=\'0\' style=\'vertical-align:middle\' alt=\'good.gif\' /][!--endemo--]
[span style=\'color:blue\'][span style=\'font-size:14pt;line-height:100%\']Canadian Industry Pioneering Emerging Space Technologies [/span][/span]
Longueuil, Quebec - May 18, 2005 - David L. Emerson, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency, today announced an investment of $20.4 million in 44 research and development contracts. This investment helps ensure that Canada maintains a global niche market advantage in the design of emerging space technologies and applications.
"This funding will allow the Canadian space industry to continue developing leading-edge space technologies, making the Canadian Space Program a driver in the growth of our nation's dynamic economy," said Minister Emerson. "The investments announced today are absolutely critical to enhancing Canada's specialized expertise and spurring the commercialization of innovative technologies that respond to Canadian and global needs."
The 44 contracts were awarded through the CSA's Space Technology Development Program (STDP). Companies will develop a range of pioneering space technologies, including:
· A proposal of technology to enable the self-repair of cracks and holes in spacecraft
· A drilling and sample acquisition system to study the subsurface composition of a planet-this also has applications on Earth
· A vision system that allows spacecraft and satellites to take 3-D images of themselves while in orbit
· A compact, lightweight, low-power, laser system for use in planetary exploration, Earth observation and space servicing missions
· A new process to allow nearly instant detection of search and rescue beacons
· Several satellite technologies to increase power and efficiency for broadcasting and Internet traffic
"These innovative projects will help Canada remain at the forefront of niche markets in telecommunications, spacecraft design and laser sensors," said Marc Garneau, President, Canadian Space Agency. "The STDP program is a critical vehicle supporting the Canadian Space Strategy, which leverages scientific and technological expertise while supporting Government of Canada priorities."
[span style=\'color:blue\']About the Space Technology Development Program (STDP)[/span]
This Canadian Space Agency program promotes the design and development of innovative technologies in Canada to maintain our nation's position as leader in space technology. The technologies it supports take full advantage of the capabilities of the Canadian space industry and are strongly linked with the future needs of the Canadian Space Program.
The problem with the CSA is that it is entirely science and satellite based. Thus it is boring and entirely an in-house bureaucracy. I really doubt whether all these satellites are useful to ordinary people.
Using astronauts is an afterthought because Canada does not launch its own rockets. I Wouldn't advocate launching rockets, but astronauts need to get out there and meet the public in more than schools and community centres. Taxpayer money from shopping malls and working Canadians pays their bills.
Astronauts are scientists, but that are well known.
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