Re Exploring Canadian Space

Canadians have always had a pioneering spirit. We've explored our country and our planet, and now we're exploring space. Read more about Canada's amazing contributions to space research and discovery: - The development of the Canadarm and Canadarm2, essential tools for the space shuttle program - The Alouette I ionospheric research satellite, the first satellite ever built outside of the US and USSR to make it into orbit - James Chamberlin and Owen Maynard, who went from the collapse of Avro to engineering key components for NASA's Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle programs - The birth of Canada's commercial satellite industry with the Canadian launch of the world's first communications satellite - Robotic technology developed in Canada that helped the shuttle program return to flight in 2005 - Dr. Gerry Bull, the Canadian defence scientist who spearheaded the High Altitude Research Project which studied the use of cannons to launch satellites in the 1960s - Ionospheric research by Canadian scientists to help improve radio communications in the far north - Julie Payette and Chris Hadfield's part in the construction and research work on the International Space Station - Marc Garneau, the head of Canada's space program, who is setting his sights on Canadian technology and a mission to Mars. And more...

A variety of productions and representations of Canadian identities are the central theme that runs through this book. The different contributions explore imagined spaces by considering Canadian music, poetry and novels; they engage with political space by addressing various ways in which the people of Canada have made claims to different regions in the distant and recent past; and they address lived spaces, and their actual and symbolic meanings. It is an unusual book as it encompasses the writings by those studying the arts and literature as well as writings by social scientists, and it includes both English and French-speaking scholars. The richness that can be found in this multitude of perspectives and approaches to exploring Canadian space is characteristic of the way in which Canadian Studies is practiced nowadays. It is therefore an appropriate volume to celebrate 20 years of Canadian Studies in the Netherlands.

Canadians have always had a pioneering spirit. We've explored our country and our planet, and now we're exploring space. Read more about Canada's amazing contributions to space research and discovery: • The development of the Canadarm and Canadarm2, essential tools for the space shuttle program • The Alouette I ionospheric research satellite, the first satellite ever built outside of the US and USSR to make it into orbit • James Chamberlin and Owen Maynard, who went from the collapse of Avro to engineering key components for NASA's Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and shuttle programs • The birth of Canada's commercial satellite industry with the Canadian launch of the world's first communications satellite • Robotic technology developed in Canada that helped the shuttle program return to flight in 2005 • Dr. Gerry Bull, the Canadian defence scientist who spearheaded the High Altitude Research Project which studied the use of cannons to launch satellites in the 1960s • Ionospheric research by Canadian scientists to help improve radio communications in the far north • Julie Payette and Chris Hadfield's part in the construction and research work on the International Space Station • Marc Garneau, the head of Canada's space program, who is setting his sights on Canadian technology and a mission to Mars. And more...

Space is no longer the domain of national space agencies. Today, a significant majority of space activities are carried out by non-governmental entities, resulting in the accelerated evolution of space technologies and their applications. This operational shift from public to private does not mean, however, that governments are no longer relevant in this era of New Space. On the contrary: as the operational role of the state has diminished, its regulatory role has grown correspondingly. Acknowledging that the commercial landscape in space is an ever-changing one, this book explores how the Canadian government has adapted to the new commercial space landscape and whether it is prepared to fulfil its authorisation and supervision responsibilities as the regulator of Canada’s space industry. The fundamental research question posed, therefore, is whether Canada’s regulatory framework is appropriate given the increasing commercialisation of space. To best answer this question, the book provides a doctrinal analysis of Canada’s historical space policy and current space laws, an empirical survey of the perspectives of those currently interacting with Canada’s regulatory framework, and a comparative exploration of how other jurisdictions oversee commercial space activities. Motivated by legal, moral and economic considerations, the book recommends that Canada enact a comprehensive national space law and provides an annotated draft law for this purpose. By doing so, the book intends to spark a meaningful conversation on how Canada ought to fulfil its regulatory responsibilities, a topic previously unaddressed in public and academic discourse.

With interviews from Chris Hadfield and Marc Garneau, the tale of Canada’s involvement in international space exploration from the 1960s to the present day Canada is a small but mighty power in space exploration. After providing the Canadarm robotic arm for the space shuttle in 1981, Canada received an invitation to start an astronaut program — a program that quickly let its people accumulate skill and prestige. Canadian astronauts have since commanded the International Space Station, flown as co-pilots on spacecraft, and even held senior roles within NASA. This book traces how Canada grew from small beginnings into a major player in international space policy. You will hear about Canada’s space program from the words of its astronauts, from Canadian celebrity Chris Hadfield to Liberal cabinet minister Marc Garneau to Governor General Julie Payette. You will experience the excitement and challenges of reporting on a rocket launch in Kazakhstan, as Canada sent its latest astronaut to space in preparation for possible moon missions in the 2020s. And you will learn from the people who work behind the scenes on Canadian space technology and space policy about why we are doing this — and what we plan to do next.

Canada’s space efforts from its origins towards the end of the Second World War through to its participation in the ISS today are revealed in full in this complete and carefully researched history. Employing recently declassified archives and many never previously used sources, author Andrew B. Godefroy explains the history of the program through its policy and many fascinating projects. He assesses its effectiveness as a major partner in both US and international space programs, examines its current national priorities and capabilities, and outlines the country’s plans for the future. Despite being the third nation to launch a satellite into space after the Soviet Union and the United States; being a major partner in the US space shuttle program with the iconic Canadarm; being an international leader in the development of space robotics; and acting as one of the five major partners in the ISS, the Canadian Space Program remains one of the least well-known national efforts of the space age. This book attempts to shed a clearer light on the progress made by the CSA thus far, with more ambitious goals ahead. Technical information, diagrams, glossaries, a chronology, and extensive notes on sources are also included in this volume.

Canada, as a nation, needs a new focus. In the last half of the 20th century, the country was striving to find its national identity, and we clustered along the warmth of our southern border, but not so close as to get burnt. Problems between the French- and English-speaking parts of our country threatened to tear us apart, but we managed to resolve them as best as we could. Then there are regional differences, each region trying to promote a national agenda that addresses their own needs. A large geographically dispersed country like Canada will always have regional differences, but these differences also contribute to the strength of our country. The overarching question is how best to build a country with a level of prosperity and quality of life that all can enjoy. If this goal can be achieved then most of the issues that divide us will tend to go away. We need a new national dream. That dream could be outer space, the new ocean, the final frontier. Canada needs to expand its activities in space. We need a space program that will inspire Canadians and drive technological innovation. We need to create a new industry that will continue to sustain our high standard of living. Both as a way to unite the country and as a way to ensure Canada will be a strong and prosperous nation well into the 21st century.