Operating context - - Departmental Plan
Canada has a rich space heritage and an industrial base with niche capabilities that position Canada among the global leaders in space operations, satellite communications, space robotics, space-based radar, optical science instruments, as well as value-added Earth Observation (EO) and geospatial services. However, the operating environment is changing rapidly, and Canada's space program will need to adapt in order to continue to provide benefits for Canadians.
New opportunities to leverage Earth observation data, demonstrate Canadian capabilities on the world stage and grow the sector
Space-based data is integral to Government of Canada priorities, programs, and services. Many federal departments and agencies increasingly rely on space-based data and applications to address uniquely Canadian challenges, and many others are beginning to understand the potential value of EO data to support their work. The RADARSAT Constellation Mission, in particular, is a critical satellite system for Canada; the EO data that it collects is used to monitor agricultural productivity, track ice in the North, detect pollution on our waters, and provide the Canadian Armed Forces with imagery to support their missions. Canada's other operational EO satellites monitor our environment to support science and evidence-based decision-making on climate change, water and resource management, and disaster management.
Canada continues to be a valued and in-demand partner for exciting new activities in space exploration, including missions to the Moon and pushing onwards to Mars. Canada announced its intent to remain a partner on the International Space Station (ISS) through . As early as , a Canadian astronaut, Jeremy Hansen, will fly around the moon as part of the historic Artemis II crew. Canada is contributing a next-generation robotic arm, Canadarm3, to the Lunar Gateway, a small Moon-orbiting space station that will support humans return to the moon and set the stage for further exploration to Mars.
Disruptive technologies have changed the economics of building, launching, and operating spacecraft, opening space to new and lucrative commercial business activities. Launch costs are starting to fall and both the private sector and national space agencies are investing in the production of small satellites, bringing the promise of cheaper, more frequent access to space that much closer to reality. Canada is committed to ensuring that its space firms can seize opportunities that arise from this increasingly dynamic space economy by offering targeted investments to develop and demonstrate key science and technology capabilities. These disruptive changes have also highlighted the need to create a modern regulatory framework for space in Canada.
Implementing investments in space while navigating real constraints, challenges, and leveraging opportunities
The Government has made significant new investments in space in recent years, and the CSA must dedicate the necessary resources to effectively deliver on these commitments. This could place constraints on other areas of work at the CSA, including the potential development of future missions and technology concepts, which are both a central part of how the CSA works with the private sector and international partners.
The costs of space missions are increasing for several reasons, including inflation. While this is true across all sectors of the economy, it is exacerbated by the fact these are often complex projects with long timelines, and prone to supply chain disruptions and labour shortages.
Space missions also often involve international partners, presenting another set of constraints and challenges. These partnerships are essential to Canada's space program, which allows us to punch above our weight in our niche areas on major missions that would not be possible for Canada to undertake alone. Canada's international partnerships allow us to leverage partner countries' capabilities that are key to tackling some of the most pressing global issues such as climate change. To maximize those benefits, the CSA works through international collaborations and committees such as the Global Space Exploration Committee and the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, as well as closely working with NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and other space agencies. However, international collaboration requires making commitments, often legally binding, that have timelines and expectations negotiated with partners. This creates risks associated with cost escalations when projects are delayed or accelerated by partners.
Finally, space missions also rely on specialized engineers and scientists. The success of ongoing and new space missions is highly contingent on organizations—including the CSA and the private sector—hiring and retaining these highly qualified personnel, which will be increasingly difficult as the demand for skills relevant to the space sector heats up globally.