Canada and Space
Impact of Canadian robotics on human space flight
Impact of Canadian robotics on human space flight
- In 1974, NASA sought out Canadian expertise for the development of a robotic arm for the Space Shuttle, the famous Canadarm. That marked the beginning of a close collaboration between Canada and the United States in human space flight. NASA then invited a Canadian astronaut to participate in a space mission, leading to the creation of the original Canadian astronaut corps in 1983.
- Canadarm2, which made its debut on board the ISS Space Station in 2001, allowed Canada to confirm its reputation as a world leader in space robotics and secured several flights opportunities for CSA astronauts.
- Canadian expertise in robotics has produced commercial spin-offs such as surgical robotic tools for neurosurgery, while Canadian studies on the ISS have helped people suffering from balance problems, such as seniors; osteoporosis; cardiovascular disorders; and Type 2 diabetes.
- By contributing Canadarm3 to Gateway, a lunar outpost, Canada receives a range of opportunities for lunar science and technology demonstration, as well as two astronaut flights to the Moon: one onboard Artemis II and the other to Gateway.
Canadian contributions during Cold War
Black Brant research rocket
The Black Brant — named for an Arctic-dwelling goose — was Canada’s first research rocket. Designed by Winnipeg-based Bristol Aerospace Limited, its purpose was to study upper atmospheric phenomena, particularly the aurora borealis, that could interfere with radio communications.
By the mid-1950s, both the Americans and the Soviets were developing guided long-range missiles that could be fired over the North Pole, so an understanding of the Arctic atmosphere was imperative to North American defense. In 1956, the Canadian Defense Research Board granted the U.S. Army permission to construct a rocket research facility at the Canadian military base in Fort Churchill, Man., and in 1959, Canada launched its first Black Brant.
The rocket was so successful that by the mid-1960s, Bristol had begun selling it to other customers, including the newly-formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Boasting a 98 per cent launch success rate, Black Brants are still manufactured and sold today by Mississauga, Ont.-based Magellan Aerospace.
Alouette I satellite
The successful launch of the Alouette I satellite on September 29, 1962 marked Canada’s first foray into orbit and made Canada the first nation besides the Russian and American superpowers to design and build a satellite.
Alouette’s purpose was to conduct a top-down study of the ionosphere, supplementing the research being done on the ground with rockets like the Black Brant. Through careful management, its projected one-year lifespan was extended to a full decade, during which time it produced more than a million images of the ionosphere.
The success of Alouette I prompted Canada and the U.S. to partner on a new joint research program called International Satellites for Ionospheric Studies (ISIS). Alouette II was launched in 1965, and was followed by ISIS I and II in 1969 and ’71 respectively.
Apollo 11 landing gear
The Space Race ended on July 20, 1969 when the United States successfully landed humans on the moon. But without a vital Canadian contribution, the Apollo 11 mission wouldn’t have had a leg to stand on — literally.
The Apollo lunar module that carried Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon’s surface featured landing gear designed by a Quebec company, Héroux-Devtek. The company was tasked with developing eight telescopic legs that would absorb the impact of landing and provide a stable launch platform for the astronauts’ return to lunar orbit.
Héroux-Devtek delivered, and their landing gear was used in five subsequent space missions. A little piece of Canada, in the form of Héroux-Devtek equipment, still resides on the moon.
The Black Brant — named for an Arctic-dwelling goose — was Canada’s first research rocket. Designed by Winnipeg-based Bristol Aerospace Limited, its purpose was to study upper atmospheric phenomena, particularly the aurora borealis, that could interfere with radio communications.
By the mid-1950s, both the Americans and the Soviets were developing guided long-range missiles that could be fired over the North Pole, so an understanding of the Arctic atmosphere was imperative to North American defense. In 1956, the Canadian Defense Research Board granted the U.S. Army permission to construct a rocket research facility at the Canadian military base in Fort Churchill, Man., and in 1959, Canada launched its first Black Brant.
The rocket was so successful that by the mid-1960s, Bristol had begun selling it to other customers, including the newly-formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Boasting a 98 per cent launch success rate, Black Brants are still manufactured and sold today by Mississauga, Ont.-based Magellan Aerospace.
Alouette I satellite
The successful launch of the Alouette I satellite on September 29, 1962 marked Canada’s first foray into orbit and made Canada the first nation besides the Russian and American superpowers to design and build a satellite.
Alouette’s purpose was to conduct a top-down study of the ionosphere, supplementing the research being done on the ground with rockets like the Black Brant. Through careful management, its projected one-year lifespan was extended to a full decade, during which time it produced more than a million images of the ionosphere.
The success of Alouette I prompted Canada and the U.S. to partner on a new joint research program called International Satellites for Ionospheric Studies (ISIS). Alouette II was launched in 1965, and was followed by ISIS I and II in 1969 and ’71 respectively.
Apollo 11 landing gear
The Space Race ended on July 20, 1969 when the United States successfully landed humans on the moon. But without a vital Canadian contribution, the Apollo 11 mission wouldn’t have had a leg to stand on — literally.
The Apollo lunar module that carried Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to the moon’s surface featured landing gear designed by a Quebec company, Héroux-Devtek. The company was tasked with developing eight telescopic legs that would absorb the impact of landing and provide a stable launch platform for the astronauts’ return to lunar orbit.
Héroux-Devtek delivered, and their landing gear was used in five subsequent space missions. A little piece of Canada, in the form of Héroux-Devtek equipment, still resides on the moon.
