Canada in Space

1839 The first magnetic observatory is set up by Sir Edward Sabine at the University of Toronto to study the Northern Lights

1959 Black Brant 1, the first Canadian sounding rocket is launched from Fort Churchill, Manitoba

The Aurora borealis interfers with telecommunications Used to launch research instruments to gain information about the low ionosphere (temperature, density, pressure and composition) Sounding rockets are still used by CSA and NASA in sub-orbital missions More than 800 have been launched since 1959

1959 CF-105 Avro Arrow jet programme is canceled Many of Canada’s best aerospace engineers find work with NASA where they make contributions to Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs

Avro Arrow supersonic, missile armed inceptor aircraft. designed to intercept delivery of nuclear weapons by Soviet Union following WWII

1962 Canada was the 3 rd country in space!!!! Satellite Alouette1 launched on Sept. 29

Launched by NASA from the Pacific Missile Range from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California Used to study the ionosphere Alouette’s mission lasted for 10years before it was turned off

1969 Canadian Owen Maynard involved in the development of the Lunar module Eagle. –Designed the landing gear necessary for the first walk on the moon

1972 Telesat Canada launches Anik1 World’s first national satellite television system

Telstat or Telesat is a canadian satellite communications company Geostationary satellite located at Equator Geostationary orbits are useful because they cause a satellite to appear stationary with respect to a fixed point on the rotating Earth. As a result, an antenna can point in a fixed direction and maintain a link with the satellite. The satellite orbits in the direction of the Earth's rotation, at an altitude of 35,786 km (22,236 mi) above ground. This altitude is significant because it produces an orbital period equal to the Earth's period of rotationantennaaltitude35,786 km (22,236 mi)orbital periodrotation

1981 Canadarm (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System) launched aboard Space Shuttle Columbia mission STS-2

Canada's most famous robotic and technological achievement. The design and building of the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System marks the beginning of Canada's close collaboration with NASA in manned space flight. The Canadarm project remains a sterling example of successful international space cooperation. Canadarm firmly established Canada's international reputation for robotics innovation and know-how. Its excellent performance record has inspired several generations of scientists and engineers as they develop new technologies for industry, medicine, and other applications. Used for capturing and repairing satellites and moving cargo and astronauts in space

1984 October 5 Marc Garneau becomes the first Canadian in space aboard Challenger Mission STS-41G

He conducted 10 experiments in 3 main categories: space technology, space science and life sciences He returned to space in 1996 and 2000 before becoming president of CSA In 2000 he installs the Space Stations solar arrays

1989 The Canadian Space Agency is created

Mandate: “To promote the peaceful use and development of space, to advance the knowledge of space through science and to ensure that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians”

1992 Roberta Bondar becomes the first Canadian woman in space aboard Discovery mission STS-42

One of 6 original astronauts selected in Dec 1983 Performed life science and material science experiments Is a neurologist and researcher

1995 Chris Hadfield becomes the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm and only Canadian to board MIR

1995 First complete view of Canada compiled using RADARSAT-1 RADARSAT-1 is Canada’s first Earth observation satellite

Launched Nov 4, 1995 Developed by canada to monitor environmental changes and natural resources Able to acquire images of Earth day and night and in all weather

1996 Robert Thirsk flies aboard the longest shuttle mission to date

–Altitude: 173 statute miles –Inclination: 39 degrees –Orbits: 271 –Duration: 16 days, 21 hours, 48 minutes, 30 seconds. –Distance: 7 million miles During this 17-day flight aboard Columbia, he and his six crewmates performed 43 international experiments devoted to the study of life and materials sciences. The life science experiments investigated changes in plants, animals, and humans under space flight conditions. The materials science experiments examined protein crystallization, fluid physics and high-temperature solidification of multi-phase materials in a weightless environment.

1997 Bjarni Tryggvason flies aboard Discovery mission STS-85 Tests Microgravity Vibration Isolation Mount

Experience has shown that spacecraft, such as the Russian Mir space station and the US Space Shuttle, do not provide the high- quality microgravity environment required for many science experiments. There are numerous causes for this deviation from the ideal "free-fall" environment such as the operation of on-board equipment (pumps, fans, thrusters, etc.), the movement of astronauts within the spacecraft, and variations in orbital characteristics such as atmospheric drag. While these disturbances are usually small and are most often not even felt by the astronauts, they can nonetheless have undesirable effects on space-based experiments. This is particularly significant for a large class of materials science experiments that involve fluid or vapour phases. The Microgravity Isolation Mount (MIM) is a unique Canadian development that improves the microgravity environment for experimenters who use spacecraft such as Mir or the Space Shuttle. The MIM uses the principle of magnetic levitation to isolate experiments from the vibrations of the spacecraft. The MIM consists of three major components: a stator fixed to the spacecraft, a flotor which floats without contact relative to the fixed stator and a control unit which houses the brains of the system. Experiments are mounted on the MIM flotor and are controlled by the MIM control unit. First MIM was sent to MIR

1998 Dave Williams becomes the first non- American to serve as medical officer on a Shuttle Flight

In June 1992 the Canadian Space Agency selected Williams as one of four successful candidates from a field of 5330 applicants to begin astronaut training.

1999 Julie Payette is the first Canadian to board the International Space Station

Chief astronaut for CSA Logged over 465 hours in space May 27 to June 6, 1999 as a crewmember of STS-96. During the mission, the crew performed the first manual docking of the Shuttle to the International Space Station (ISS), and delivered four tons of supplies to the Station. Ms. Payette served as a mission specialist, was responsible for the Station systems, supervised the space walk and operated the Canadarm robotic arm. The STS-96 mission was accomplished in 153 orbits of the Earth, traveling more than six million kilometers in 9 days, 19 hours and 13 minutes. Ms. Payette was the first Canadian to participate in an ISS assembly mission and to board the Space Station.

2001 Chris Hadfield is the first Canadian to walk in space Canadarm 2 was installed during this mission

Canadarm 2 “Bigger, Smarter, and more grown- up version of the shuttle’s robotic arm” Special purpose dexterous manipulator. Dexter. Without Canadian robotics the ISS could not have been built This contribution guarantees Canada a minimum of one 3-month stay on the station every three years and allows access to the Station’s research facilities

The Mobile Servicing System (MSS), better known by its primary component Canadarm2, is a robotic system and associated equipment on the International Space Station. It plays a key role in station assembly and maintenance: moving equipment and supplies around the station, supporting astronauts working in space, and servicing instruments and other payloads attached to the space station. Astronauts receive specialized training to enable them to perform these functions with the various systems.roboticInternational Space Station The MSS is composed of the actual arm called Space Station Remote Manipulator (SSRMS), the Mobile Remote Servicer Base System (MBS) and the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM also known as Dextre or Canada hand).Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator

2003 The Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars telescope (MOST) is launched Canada’s first space telescope and the World’s smallest

Carried aboard a Russian rocket Ultra-high-precision photometry –Measurement of brightness variations –Remains focused on a target For up to 2 months without interruption –Optical telescope with a 15cm collecting mirror –Housed in a suitcase sized microsatellite. Powered by solar panels

2003 Canada’s Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment aboard the Scientific Satellite is launched SCISAT studies the depletion of the Ozone layer over Canada and the arctic