Table of Contents

2006-2007 Priority Technologies

The Space Technologies Branch has established a list of priority technologies based on the new Canadian Space Strategy and following extensive consultations with industry, academia, technical and scientific authorities and other key stakeholders. The list will guide the implementation of our technology research and development programs and activities. The list will be updated on a regular basis to reflect recent technological and scientific breakthroughs, future mission opportunities and shifts in market demands.

• The list is in alphabetical order by technology type
• All technologies listed will be developed primarily for space applications

Satellite Communication Technologies

• Advanced communications and systems architecture for reconfigurable payloads
• Digital on-board processing for mesh networks
• Encryption and connection control protocol techniques for Satellite Systems
• Enterprise and government satellite broadband technologies development and demonstration in Ka-band for northern communities
• Ground segment and mobile antennas for Ka Band
• Inter-satellite links (Optical and RF)
• Next-generation DVB-S2 systems in Ka-band for two-way broadband applications and peer to peer networking
• Next-generation space antennas including phased arrays and digital beam forming
• Next-generation technologies for V and Q band communication
• Satellite payload for short messaging services and automatic identification systems in LEO/MEO
• Software defined radio for satellite communications
• Spread spectrum satellite communication technologies (comms or TT&C)

Earth Observation Technologies

• Spectrometry technologies, including dispersive, filter based and Fourier-transform systems and components
• Optical and microwave interferometry technologies and components
• Optical imaging technologies, including imaging spectrometers, and components
• C-band, Ka-band, L-band, and P-band SAR technologies and components (including antennas)
• Atmospheric radar technologies and components
• Advanced focal plane array detectors, including microbolometers; readout electronics; readout IC chip designs, and detector system-on-chip
• Advanced optical telescopes
• MEMS based optics
• Optical components, including gratings and etalons for advanced observation payloads
• Digital radar electronics
• Onboard sensor data processing, compression, error detection and correction
• Advanced sensor calibration/data validation, and data processing technologies for enhancing data quality of space borne sensors
• Ground segment infrastructure to support observation data reception and processing

Science and Exploration Technologies

• Active 3-D vision systems technologies
• Advanced end-effectors and actuators
• Advanced life support systems and medical technologies for spaceflight
• Advanced Planetary Landing Technologies
• Autonomous and dependable systems (e.g. rovers)
• Compact instrument suites for landed or orbiter Mars/Moon missions
• In-situ resource extraction and utilisation
• Navigation/mapping for planetary rover
• On-board vision algorithms for autonomous capture of free-flying satellites
• Operational simulators for interplanetary missions to develop concept of operations
• Precision laser-ranging technologies for spacecraft outer inspection, rendezvous, docking, and landing
• Safety monitoring for robotic operations
• Subsurface sample acquisition and handling subsystem for lander or rover platform
• Technologies for autonomous on-orbit servicing of spacecraft

Spacecraft Technologies

• Autonomous attitude control and navigation systems
• Efficient operations planning and operations verification tools
• Fault detection, isolation and recovery technologies
• In situ spacecraft inspection
• Integrated multi-function structures
• Heat management systems and technologies for Small/Micro/Nanosat class spacecraft
• High performance, scalable, reliable and cost effective computing systems, architectures and operating systems
• MEMS based sensors (earth, sun, magnetometer etc.)
• Multi-source data acquisition and handling technologies
• Novel mechanical shock and vibration management technologies
• Novel spacecraft structures and advanced materials
• Power management systems (batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, power conversion etc.)
• Spacecraft monitoring, built in testing and diagnostics
• Space environment sensors, characterization and mitigation techniques