2017–18 Departmental Results Report - Supplementary Information Tables

Program 1.1 Space Data, Information and Services

• Sub-Program 1.1.1 Earth Orbit Satellite Missions and Technology
• Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.1.3 Scientific Missions
• Sub-Program 1.1.2 Ground Infrastructure
• Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.2.2 Data Handling
• Sub-Program 1.1.3 Space Data, Imagery and Services Utilization Development
• Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.3.1 Earth Observation Data and Imagery Utilization

Program 1.2 Space Exploration

• Sub-Program 1.2.1 International Space Station
• Sub-Sub-Program 1.2.1.2 International Space Station Utilization
• Sub-Program 1.2.2 Exploration Missions and Technology
• Sub-Sub-Program 1.2.2.1 Space Astronomy Missions
• Sub-Program 1.2.3 Human Space Missions and Support
• Sub-Sub-Program 1.2.3.3 Health and Life Sciences

Program 1.3 Future Canadian Space Capacity Program

• Sub-Program 1.3.1 Space Expertise and Proficiency
• Sub-Program 1.3.2 Space Innovation and Market Access
• Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.2.2 Enabling Technology Development

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 program has two components:

1. Research
2. Awareness and Learning

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.

The Awareness and Learning component aims to provide learning opportunities to Canadian students in various space-related disciplines; to support the operations of organizations dedicated to space research and education; and to increase awareness of Canadian space science and technology among Canadian students and their participation in related activities.

In 2017–18, Canadian universities and for-profit and not-for-profit organizations established and operating in Canada made significant contributions to knowledge creation in space science and technology priority areas through 11 new Announcements of Opportunity (AOs) posted on the CSA's website, resulting in 100 new supported research projects. For more information regarding these initiatives consult the Programs Results Section of the DRR.

Global Results: The annual Web-based follow-up project survey showed results of 506 publications among which 75% were peer reviewed and 1052 presentations among which 158 were presentations on making space science and technology more readily understandable for the general public and 217 other outreach / general scientific awareness activities. 1772 research team members were involved in the supported initiatives representing 600 persons per year in terms of Full-Time Equivalents (FTE). From these Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP), 443 were faculty members, 595 were students and post-doctoral fellows and 265 were technicians and other research team members.

A total of 213 research organizations have been involved in the funded projects (i.e. 60% universities, 17% foreign research organizations, 16% private sector and 7% other). 69% of research partners are international and 31% are national.

Grants: Due to delays in granting agreements, some of the expenditures planned for 2017–18 will be incurred in 2018–19.

Contributions: The variance is mainly due to the decreased expenditures resulting from delays in Space Technology Development projects.

Since January 2012, an initiative to engage recipients has been undertaken through an automated annual follow-up of projects. The Agency has extended this initiative in order to establish a dialogue with potential applicants and recipients.

Consultations, presentations to, and discussions with, the academic and industrial communities as well with other potential recipient groups, are ongoing and will continue.

The James Webb Space Telescope is a joint international mission involving National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The mission concept is for a large field-aperture telescope to be located 1.5 million km from Earth. Like Hubble, the James Webb telescope will be used by the astronomy community to observe targets ranging from objects within our solar system to the most remote galaxies which can be seen during their formation in the early universe. The science mission is centred on the quest to understand our origins:

• Observing the very first generation of stars to illuminate the dark universe when it was less than one billion years old;
• Understanding the physical processes that have controlled the evolution of galaxies over cosmic time and, in particular, identifying the processes that led to the assembly of galaxies within the first four billion years after the Big Bang;
• Understanding the physical processes that control the formation and early evolution of stars in our own and other nearby galaxies; and
• Studying the formation and early evolution of proto-planetary disks, and characterizing the atmospheres of isolated planetary mass objects.

The James Webb telescope is currently planned to launch in 2018. James Webb instruments will be designed to work primarily in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, with some capability in the visible range. The James Webb telescope will have a large mirror, 6.5 metres in diameter and a sun shield that will be the size of a tennis court once deployed in outer space.

Canada is providing the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) and the Near-Infra-Red Imager and Slitless Spectrometer (NIRISS). The FGS is integral to the attitude control system of the James Webb telescope, and consists of two fully redundant cameras that will report precise pointing information. Canadian expertise in this area was established previously with the successful fine error sensors for the former Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) mission. Packaged with the FGS but functionally independent, the NIRISS covers the 0.7 to 5 micrometer spectral range. NIRISS provides a specialized capability for surveys of objects such as primeval galaxies, for the study of transiting planetary systems and for high-contrast imaging applications such as the detection of extra-solar planets. 

With COM DEV Canada as the prime contractor, the James Webb Space Telescope-FGS Major Crown Project consists of the design, development, testing and integration into the spacecraft, launching and commissioning of the FGS and NIRISS. By participating in this leading-edge international space exploration mission, the CSA is actively promoting Canadian scientific expertise and innovative, advanced space technologies.

The National Research Council's Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics (NRC Herzberg) is a key Government of Canada (GoC) partner for activities related to the development of science instruments and distribution of telescope data. In return for its overall investment in the James Webb telescope, Canada will obtain a minimum of 5% of the time on this unique space telescope.

Already, the news of Canada's involvement in this international space exploration mission is inspiring youth, educators and amateur astronomers, and rallying members of Canada's world-renowned astrophysics community.

This MCP contributes to Program 1.2 Space Exploration which provides valuable Canadian science, signature technologies and qualified astronauts to international space exploration endeavours. It fosters the generation of knowledge as well as technological spin-offs that contribute to a higher quality of life for Canadians. This Program appeals to the science and technology communities. It is targeted mostly towards Canadian academia and international space exploration partnerships. Canadian industry also benefits from the work generated within this Program. The contribution of the MCP to the program objectives is measured through the Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) (Program Alignment Architecture (PAA) results and performance indicators).

Program 1.2 Space Exploration

Result #1: Expansion of advanced scientific knowledge acquired through space exploration endeavours.

Performance Indicator #1: Number of peer-reviewed scientific publications, reports and conference proceedings using space exploration information and produced by researchers (sciences and technologies) in Canada.

Result #2: Multiple use and applications of knowledge and know-how acquired through space exploration endeavours.

Performance Indicator #1: Number of terrestrial applications of knowledge and know-how acquired through space exploration endeavours.

Performance Indicator #2: Number of space re-utilizations of knowledge and know-how acquired through space exploration endeavours.

Sub-Program 1.2.2 Exploration Missions and Technology

Result #1: Technological know-how is acquired through Space Exploration endeavours (Astronomy and Planetary).

Performance Indicator #1: Proportion of the CSA missions/solutions/instruments that met their mission performance requirements at acceptance review and/or at commissioning.

Result #2: Canada maintains a strategic positioning which supports its capacity to influence space exploration missions and decision-making processes in key international space exploration forums.

Performance Indicator #1: Number of CSA sponsored highly qualified personnel (HQP) nominated on the International Space Exploration decision bodies.

Result #3: CSA's participation in space exploration missions provides access to scientific data about the Solar System and the Universe.

Performance Indicator #1: Number of CSA's sponsored space astronomy and planetary missions providing data to Canadian scientific community.

• NRC Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED)

• Honeywell Aerospace, Ottawa, Ontario

• Teledyne, USA
• Corning Netoptix, USA
• IMP Aerospace Avionics, Canada
• ABB Bomem, Canada
• MDA, Canada
• INO, Canada
• BMV, Canada
• CDA Intercorp, USA
• ESTL, Europe
• Bach Research Corporation, USA
• Materion, USA
• Camcor, Canada

• Phase A: Requirement Definition (2004)
• Phase B: Preliminary Design (May 2005)
• Phase C: Detailed Design (September 2008)
• Phase D: Manufacturing/Assembly, Integration/Testing, Pre-launch preparations, Launch/System Commissioning (March 2021)
• Phase E: Operations (part of MCP) (2026)

In March 2004, Treasury Board granted Preliminary Project Approval for Phases B, C and D. In December 2006, before the completion of Phase C, detailed design of the FGS, the CSA requested increased expenditure authority to complete the project. In February 2007, the Treasury Board granted Effective Project Approval (EPA) and the project became a Major Crown Project (MCP).

In March 2007, the first Critical Design Review (CDR) for the guidance function of the FGS revealed technical issues. During the preparation of the system-level CDR, new issues became apparent. The technical issues needed to be addressed.

In December 2007, Treasury Board granted a revised EPA after project costs had raised significantly due to technical issues by the end of Phase C, the detailed design phase.

In 2010, NASA discovered that the infrared detectors, extremely sensitive cameras capable of "seeing" light produced by heat, were showing signs of performance degradation due to a design fault. Following investigation, NASA concluded that all detectors, including the four procured by Canada, needed to be replaced. In effect, two years after their acceptance by the project, the detectors started to show the same degradation. NASA initiated an improvement project with Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC to address the design issue causing the degradation.

In 2011–12, work continued on hardware and software development. COMDEV Canada worked on the Proto Flight Model (PFM) which successfully completed a very stringent environmental test campaign during which the instrument was subjected to cryogenic temperatures over a period of 80 continuous days. Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC completed the detector design improvements and, pursuant to testing successfully addressed the degradation issues. NASA then initiated the procurement process for new detectors for the James Webb telescope Mission; the acquisition of the detectors for the FGS/NIRISS was under the responsibility of the CSA.

The FGS Engineering Test Unit (ETU) was integrated into the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) test set-up and underwent system-level testing with the other science instrument engineering units. The integration test onto the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) of the James Webb telescope was successfully conducted. A technical issue surfaced with a component, the Tunable Filter Instrument (TFI), which triggered the need for a change in the design approach and led to the design and development of the Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS). This new instrument relied on existing components of the old TFI but used a different approach to cover the light spectrum required for the science mission.

On July 30, 2012, the PFM FGS/NIRISS was delivered to NASA GSFC. On November 15, 2012, the PFM FGS/NIRISS was officially accepted by NASA following the successful completion of post-delivery functional tests. The FGS/NIRISS was the first instrument officially accepted by NASA as part of the James Webb Space Telescope project.

As to the procurement of the four new detectors for FGS/NIRISS, the CSA and NASA agreed on cost sharing: NASA would manage the procurement with Teledyne Scientific & Imaging LLC until the detectors are completed at which point they would be procured off-the-shelf by the CSA (through PWGSC).

In August 2013, NASA initiated a cryogenic test campaign with the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM). The test was completed in November 2013, and the FGS/NIRISS performed as expected.

The second cryogenic test campaign was conducted in 2014–15 as the integration and test activities at NASA with ISIM continued. As well, in 2014, the FGS/NIRISS detectors were replaced after the completion of the second cryogenic test campaign.

The launch date for the James Webb telescope is currently planned for May 2020.

In 2007, when the project obtained Treasury Board approval for the revised EPA, the anticipated mission launch date was May 2013. Following a re-planning exercise conducted by NASA, the launch date was slipped to October 2018, extending the project life by 5.5 years. There was an associated cost increase in the mission's integration and test phase, due to NASA having originally underestimated the work needed for this phase. The scope of work remaining to be completed for this project is as follows:

Although the flight instrument has now been delivered, the project is still in the implementation phase where support must be provided for the integration of the FGS/NIRISS to the spacecraft, for the launch activities and for the spacecraft commissioning activities.

With all the integration and test activities at NASA having been delayed and the duration of these activities revised under the NASA replan, the CSA and COM DEV are required to provide direct engineering post-delivery support to NASA for FGS/NIRISS and to the James Webb mission commissioning activities from 2014 up until March 2021.

Official mission operations will commence after the completion of the telescope's commissioning, six months after its launch. The James Webb telescope operations centre will be located in the Space Telescope Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, in the United States. Canadian scientists will be on location to directly support the operations of the FGS and NIRISS throughout the mission's operations. The operations will also be supported by engineering staff in order to be able to address technical issues if and when they occur to ensure the functionality of Canada's instruments.

Ultimately this remaining scope of work and the extension of the mission schedule resulted in cost increases that could not be absorbed by the 2007 project authorities. As well, PWGSC needed contractual authorities for acquiring the new detectors under a sole-source contract with a US supplier. As a result, the CSA prepared a new submission to Treasury Board addressing the issues above. The submission was approved in February 2014. Treasury Board granted a revised EPA of $169.9 million (excluding taxes).

In January 2016, NASA completed the third and final cryogenic test campaign of ISIM at NASA's GSFC. During this test campaign, the FGS/NIRISS performed as expected, thus successfully closing the final performance verification of Canada's contribution to the James Webb Space Telescope. In March 2016, NASA entered the next level of spacecraft integration and testing with the joining of ISIM and the Optical Telescope Element to form the OTIS (Optical Telescope element and Integrated Science instrument module).

In 2016–17, the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) was integrated with the Optical Telescope and the new assembly (nicknamed OTIS, which stands for Optical Telescope and Science Instruments) underwent a series of rigorous environmental testing, comprised of ambient functional, vibration and acoustic testing, at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. The FGS/NIRISS team has supported these tests and prepared for the OTIS cryogenic tests planned for the summer of 2017.

In May 2017 the OTIS module was shipped to the NASA Johnson Space Center where it went through a series of cryogenic vacuum tests designed to ensure the telescope functioned as expected in an extremely cold, airless environment akin to that of space. These tests, which lasted about 100 days, were completed successfully in November 2017, with flawless performance from the Canadian instruments FGS and NIRISS. In February 2018 the OTIS was shipped to Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems (NGAS) in California, where it will be integrated with the spacecraft element to form the complete James Webb Telescope Observatory.

Although the OTIS module testing was completed successfully and on schedule, in 2017–18 the James Webb Space Telescope mission saw significant delays. On September 28, 2017, NASA announced that the launch planned for October 2018 was delayed until the spring of 2019, due to a combination of some integration activities on the spacecraft bus and sunshield at NGAS taking longer than planned and the integration of lessons learned from earlier testing. Then, after an independent assessment of the remaining integration and test tasks, on March 27, 2018, NASA announced a further launch delay to approximately May 2020. A more specific launch time frame will be defined by an independent review board which will provide an assessment to the US Congress in the summer of 2018.