Could SpAce
Make Canada
More Vital
Than Ever?
Russia is trying to outpace NATO in the region with more military bases and a larger fleet of icebreaking ships. China, meanwhile, has made the dubious assertion that it is a “near-Arctic state” and is rushing to gain commercial and scientific advantages there. The concern in the West is that Beijing’s maneuverings suggest a possible play for a military presence in the region.
“We live in an ideal neighborhood, geographically and from the perspective of continental security, and we should be grateful for that,” says Brian Gallant, CEO of Space Canada. “But we can’t be blind to the fact that we have a strategic position nor to the fact that Russia, China, and others have interests in the North.”
Ottawa is now pointing to space and the Arctic as top priorities — as evidenced by the latest vision for Canadian defense, focused on “Our North, Strong and Free.” And with its recent pledge to form a National Space Council, Canada is signaling a commitment to staying competitive in the global race to maximize space as a resource and to sustain strategic advantage.
“We’re putting up a very, very strong global space communication network that is led by two Canadian companies, and that capability will include communications capacity over the Arctic,” says Greenley. “Canadian companies are also leading in the area of greenhouse gas detection from space and the development of a domestic launch capability from Canada.”
Meanwhile, Canada is also enhancing its surveillance and communication systems, including more advanced satellites, as part of efforts by Ottawa’s and Washington’s plans to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command – NORAD is a US-Canada binational organization charged with aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for North America — and confront potential threats in the Arctic.
These advances, says Greenley, are being made “so Canada’s military can have solid communications and surveillance in the polar region while benefiting citizens on the ground as well.”
"Increased collaboration between governments and the commercial space industry also stokes competition between companies and boosts innovation potential," says Clayton Swope, deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
“Different ideas will percolate to the surface,” Swope says, which could translate to more efficient products that reduce costs. “What’s the most efficient way to do this? The idea here is that the market could help find what that is,” he says.
Roberta L. Bondar, left, from Canada, with Norman E. Thagard, right, on the flight deck of Discovery, in January 1992.
Given the scale of Ottawa’s recent investments, there is hope that Canada will catch up to other countries — especially its southern neighbor — in terms of building closer partnerships with the commercial space sector, which can lead to more agile procurement models.
“You see the most rapid progress at the axis where government interest in leveraging space meets commercial interest in delivering that capacity,” says Greenley, “because the innovation, investment, and delivery timelines in the commercial market are much faster.”
As an example, Washington now routinely buys launch services from SpaceX which has “massively changed the dynamic compared to historical US launch capability,” Greenley says.
“More launch capability means more access and more possibility for new space ventures. That adds up to a position of power for the US in commercial space.”
With rapid advances in satellite and rocket-enabled technologies — and international crises fueling demand for geospatial data and satellite imagery — the global space economy is expected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, up from $630 billion last year. Government spending on space is also up, with military space spending outpacing civil space spending for the first time in 2023.
What’s more, Canada already has the industrial base to build on its record as a world leader in space technology — supported by strong academic and engineering communities to accelerate research and development. The Canadian space sector currently generates over 20,000 jobs and contributes $2.5 billion to annual GDP — $5.5 billion overall in yearly revenue. And there’s still plenty of room for growth, with one projection suggesting that Canada’s space economy could climb as high as $40 billion by 2040 if certain conditions are met.
The geopolitical landscape may be in constant flux, but what is certain is the mounting challenge presented by China’s Arctic ambitions, Russia’s war in Ukraine, climate change, and poor internet access in isolated communities. But there are clear signs that Canada is beginning to step up and lead with respect to Arctic defense and space-based capabilities, says Greenley. “The position we’re in is incredibly strong.”
T
C
A
A
I
For decades, the space sector has played a key role in shaping Canada’s national identity, security, and economy. From the launch of the Alouette 1 scientific satellite in 1962 to the iconic Canadarm technology – developed by MDA Space and used for NASA’s Space Shuttles and the International Space Station – the Great White North has a proud history in space.
Ottawa continues to recognize the value of investing in space tech. It awarded MDA Space a CA$1 billion contract in June to build the next phase of Canadarm3 for the NASA-led Lunar Gateway mission. The Canadian Space Agency is also investing in next generation Earth observation satellites. Multiple levels of government in Canada are also supporting the Telesat Lightspeed constellation — for which MDA Space is building 198 advanced low Earth orbit, or LEO, satellites — designed to provide low-latency broadband connectivity around the world. This space-based network will help ensure that vast areas, including remote and rural parts of Canada, have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet — which will be a game-changer for local businesses while also providing benefits for sectors ranging from health care and education to security, defense, and commercial shipping.
“The absolute one place that Canada can be and should be in charge of is the Arctic.”
Mike Greenley, CEO of Canadian
space technology company MDA Space
2008
Carried by NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander, Canada’s meteorological station tracks weather and climate on Mars.
2001
Astronaut Chris Hadfield performs Canada’s first spacewalk, attaching Canadarm2 to the International Space Station.
1997
The first high-resolution satellite image of the South Pole is taken by RADARSAT-1, Canada’s first Earth observation satellite operated by the Canadian Space Agency.
2015
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) teams up with universities across Canada to prepare for the next stages in Martian exploration: sample return.
1995
Carried by NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander, Canada’s meteorological station tracks weather and climate on Mars.
CANADA
Canada's
50+ Years
in Space
The Telesat Lightspeed Network, with the help of satellites built by MDA Space, will begin offering global internet services, including to the polar regions.
2027
2015
The Canadian Space Agency partners with Canadian universities and industry on NASA’s OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission, contributing a laser mapping instrument and a science team for sample analysis.
1972
1962
Anik A1 satellite is launched, making Canada the first nation to have a domestic communications satellite in geostationary orbit.
The first Canadian satellite, Alouette 1, is launched. Canada becomes the third nation in space.
Canada, with 40% of its landmass in the Arctic, has long recognized the North’s paramount importance — and made early investments in satellite technology to monitor its large landmass and protect its sovereignty and people.
“The absolute one place that Canada can be and should be in charge of is the Arctic,” says Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, the leading Canadian space technology company that built the country’s RADARSAT Constellation Mission satellites that are central to Arctic maritime surveillance.
A trusted mission partner to the global space industry.
Building the space between proven and possible, our 3,000 employees globally are pushing boundaries, tackling big challenges, and imagining solutions that inspire and change the world for the better.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Antennae are tested at MDA Space’s antenna-testing facility, the Compact Antenna Test Range, or CATR, before they are launched into space to support global communications. The CATR mimics what happens in space when information is sent and received.
In collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, MDA Space's RADARSAT-2 satellite has been leveraged to fight overfishing in the Philippines. Photo: Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Branded content by
Making Sp ce to Reclaim
the Great White North
NASA has also contracted private companies to transport astronauts to the International Space Station – as a service. This year, the US made its first successful moon landing in more than 50 years — the first using a spacecraft built by a private firm.
SOURCE: Space Matters and Canadian Space Agency
aking charge in the Arctic
anada’s rich space legacy and promising future
global shift to collaborate with the commercial space sector
nnovation in space comes from business on Earth
Amid this burgeoning global space race, Canada has a real opportunity to build new geopolitical clout, global relationships, and relevance. Leveraging its vast space-based capabilities could help Ottawa meet NATO’s 2% of GDP spending goal while delivering strategically relevant capabilities that are foundational to both Canadian and Allied security objectives.
“Investments in space would allow us to better monitor and communicate across our coastlines and the Arctic – affirming our presence, ensuring our sovereignty,” says Gallant. “They also demonstrate to the US and other allies that Canada is stepping up its investments in defense.”
In a world already reckoning with the enormous and strategic value of space-based investments, Canada has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show its commitment to and agility in the sector – a key area of national strength.
“Are we a bit late in setting ourselves up for success in this new space economy? Yes, but the right moves are starting to be made,” says Gallant. “For the government, having early dialogue with industry, academia, researchers, and innovators on what they’re doing, what they’re able to do, and what you need is going to be absolutely crucial.”
S
pace-based capabilities have real geopolitical relevance
In April 2024, MDA Space announced MDA SKYMAKER™, a new suite of space robotics purpose-built to meet the diverse needs of its customers’ most ambitious missions. “The position we’re in is incredibly strong,” says MDA Space's Greenley.
Ottawa prioritizes international partnerships with agencies like NASA for access to missions its comparatively modest budget cannot afford on its own. Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield making one of the first spacewalks by a Canadian during the STS-100 mission in 2001.
SCROLL TO TOP
“Part of the key to being able to manage a region for security purposes is to have an awareness of what’s going on,” says Troy Bouffard, director of the Center of Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “We have a severe limit on that in the Arctic.”
ven in the coldest, most desolate part of the world, a place where Russia might well have hoped to be unobserved, there were eyes in the sky to catch a stunning development.
Late last year, construction equipment, large trucks, and massive shipping containers were popping up at a Soviet-era nuclear test site on a remote Arctic island alongside new tunnels, roads, and storage facilities. Were these signs of impending danger? Satellite imagery revealed the startling activity, raising concerns Russia was preparing for a nuclear test. Around the same time, in November 2023, Russia revoked its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
The discovery underscored how crucial Earth observation satellites are amid mounting geopolitical competition in remote parts of the planet. Without such
E
“Canada is the North in North America, and we certainly have all the technology to do great Arctic surveillance and monitoring — and Arctic communications as well,” Greenley adds.
These investments not only safeguard Canadian interests but also position Canada’s government to support strategic allies, including the United States, in responding to security challenges — from Russian aggression to China’s expanding ambitions — and the broader threat of climate change.
Rich in oil and natural gas reserves and abundant fish species, the Arctic is rapidly transforming due to the changing global climate. As melting ice opens new areas for exploration, fishing, and shipping, this region is also becoming an increasingly important geopolitical staging ground for militarization.
Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen is announced as the first Canadian to ever participate in a lunar mission as part of Artemis II.
2023
2019
Canada joins the NASA-led Lunar Gateway project, a station that will orbit the Moon, to contribute a smart robotic system. The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) is launched to provide more frequent data for maritime surveillance, ecosystems monitoring and disaster management.
2021
Canada contributed the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) and the Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) for the James Webb Space Telescope.
2003
Launch of Canadian satellite SCISAT, which monitors ozone depletion, especially changes occurring above Canada and the Arctic.
2007
Launch of Canada’s RADARSAT-2 satellite, which provides high-quality data for environmental and resource monitoring, disaster management, and marine surveillance.
1981
Canada’s most famous robotic and technological achievement, Canadarm, is launched
1984
Astronaut Marc Garneau becomes the first Canadian to travel to space aboard Challenger.
1989
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is established.
1992
Astronaut Roberta Bondar becomes the first Canadian woman in space, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery.
LISTEN: In this episode of Next Giant Leap, host Kevin Fong speaks with MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley and other experts about the exponential increase in satellites that are being launched into Low Earth Orbit.
DISCOVER MORE
SCROLL TO TOP
The RADARSAT-2 satellite, an Earth observation satellite that provides high-resolution synthetic aperture radar imaging, can operate day or night, making it ideal for continuous Earth monitoring.
Next Giant Leap is a four-part podcast series that explores the economics and geopolitics of space.
A 2011 joint mission between Canada and the US in the Arctic Ocean employed a flagship icebreaker from both countries – the US Coast Guard Cutter Healy and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent LSSL, with each ship performing different functions and one ship breaking ice for the other. Photo: US Department of State.
space-based technology, it would be impossible to track the changes — and potential problems and opportunities — emerging in this vast and strategically important region. The battle for Arctic supremacy, so vital for mineral resources and military advantage, is heating up.
But that is rapidly changing. New satellite technology is upending our understanding of remote places and stands at the forefront of one of the most dramatic transformations of security, technology, exploration, and innovation. What is happening in space is having a revolutionary impact on Earth. And one country has the potential to lead the way: Canada.
MDA Space joins Starlab as a strategic partner, bringing its expertise in space robotics to support Starlab’s commercial space station. This collaboration will boost external robotics capabilities, and help shape the future of space exploration.
CANADA
UNITED STATES
CHINA
RUSSIA
Operating Satellites Total Polar-Orbiting
182
53
CANADA
RUSSIA
UNITED STATES
CHINA
Operating Satellites Total Polar-Orbiting
623
8
CHINA
RUSSIA
UNITED STATES
CANADA
Operating Satellites Total Polar-Orbiting
63
1
Source: UCS Satellite Database
Note: All numbers are pulled from the UCS Satellite Database and totals include shared / collaborative satellites
Hover over country, for Satellite numbers.
CANADA
RUSSIA
UNITED STATES
CHINA
The Canadian Arctic Archipelago forms the world's largest
High Arctic land area.
Hover over map, to view Canada's Arctic.
CANADA
SPACE
HISTORY HIGHLIGHTS
Russia is trying to outpace NATO in the Arctic. A Russian space technology engineer, performs a parachute jump from the Earth's stratosphere to the area near the Russian polar station Barneo close to the North Pole, April 12, 2024. Photo: Denis Efremov, handout via Reuters
Chinese scientists assemble in front of the icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, before it leaves a port for the nation's 8th expedition to the Arctic. Photo: Reuters
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
A trusted mission partner to the global space industry.
Building the space between proven and possible, our 3,000 employees globally are pushing boundaries, tackling big challenges, and imagining solutions that inspire and change the world for the better.
DISCOVER MORE
SCROLL TO TOP
LISTEN: In this episode of Next Giant Leap, host Kevin Fong speaks with MDA Space CEO Mike Greenley and other experts about the exponential increase in satellites that are being launched into Low Earth Orbit.
Next Giant Leap is a four-part podcast series that explores the economics and geopolitics of space.
Roberta L. Bondar, left, from Canada, with Norman E. Thagard, right, on the flight deck of Discovery, in January 1992.
Ottawa prioritizes international partnerships with agencies like NASA for access to missions its comparatively modest budget cannot afford on its own. Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield making one of the first spacewalks by a Canadian during the STS-100 mission in 2001.
What is happening in space is having a revolutionary impact on Earth. And one country has the potential to lead the way: Canada.
Animated Illustration of the Lunar Dawn Lunar Terrain Vehicle, being developed by Lunar Outpost, Lockheed Martin, General Motors, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, and MDA Space. The Lunar Dawn LTV will be a true off-road vehicle for living and working on the Moon's surface.
In April 2024, MDA Space announced MDA SKYMAKER™, a new suite of space robotics purpose-built to meet the diverse needs of its customers’ most ambitious missions. “The position we’re in is incredibly strong,” says MDA Space's Greenley.
INACTIVE
ACTIVE
FRANCE
1
FINLAND
9
RUSSIA
36
DENMARK
3
NORWAY
2
CANADA
12
ESTONIA
2
SWEDEN
4
CHINA
4
US
2
ICE BREAKER FLEETS
Total Polar-Orbiting
Operating Satellites
181
53
Russia
Total Polar-Orbiting
Operating Satellites
63
1
Canada
Total Polar-Orbiting
Operating Satellites
628
8
China
Total Polar-Orbiting
Operating Satellites
5184
423
United States
MAP TK?
Antennae are tested at MDA Space’s antenna-testing facility, the Compact Antenna Test Range, or CATR, before they are launched into space to support global communications. The CATR mimics what happens in space when information is sent and received.
In collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, MDA Space's RADARSAT-2 satellite has been leveraged to fight overfishing in the Philippines. Photo: Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
A 2011 joint mission between Canada and the US in the Arctic Ocean employed a flagship icebreaker from both countries – the US Coast Guard Cutter Healy and the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Louis S. St-Laurent LSSL, with each ship performing different functions and one ship breaking ice for the other. Photo: US Department of State.
The RADARSAT-2 satellite, an Earth observation satellite that provides high-resolution synthetic aperture radar imaging, can operate day or night, making it ideal for continuous Earth monitoring.
MDA Space joins Starlab as a strategic partner, bringing its expertise in space robotics to support Starlab’s commercial space station. This collaboration will boost external robotics capabilities, and help shape the future of space exploration.
Mike Greenley, CEO of Canadian
space technology company MDA Space
“The absolute one place that Canada can be and should be in charge of is the Arctic.”
The geopolitical landscape may be in constant flux, but what is certain is the mounting challenge presented by China’s Arctic ambitions, Russia’s war in Ukraine, climate change, and poor internet access in isolated communities. But there are clear signs that Canada is beginning to step up and lead with respect to Arctic defense and space-based capabilities, says Greenley. “The position we’re in is incredibly strong.”
What’s more, Canada already has the industrial base to build on its record as a world leader in space technology — supported by strong academic and engineering communities to accelerate research and development. The Canadian space sector currently generates over 20,000 jobs and contributes $2.5 billion to annual GDP — $5.5 billion overall in yearly revenue. And there’s still plenty of room for growth, with one projection suggesting that Canada’s space economy could climb as high a $40 billion by 2040 if certain conditions are met.
With rapid advances in satellite and rocket-enabled technologies — and international crises fueling demand for geospatial data and satellite imagery — the global space economy is expected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, up from $630 billion last year. Government spending on space is also up, with military space spending outpacing civil space spending for the first time in 2023.
nnovation in space comes from business on Earth
I
S
pace-based capabilities have real geopolitical relevance
Amid this burgeoning global space race, Canada has a real opportunity to build new geopolitical clout, global relationships, and relevance. Leveraging its vast space-based capabilities could help Ottawa meet NATO’s 2% of GDP spending goal while delivering strategically relevant capabilities that are foundational to both Canadian and Allied security objectives.
“Investments in space would allow us to better monitor and communicate across our coastlines and the Arctic – affirming our presence, ensuring our sovereignty,” says Gallant. “They also demonstrate to the US and other allies that Canada is stepping up its investments in defense.”
In a world already reckoning with the enormous and strategic value of space-based investments, Canada has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show its commitment to and agility in the sector – a key area of national strength.
“Are we a bit late in setting ourselves up for success in this new space economy? Yes, but the right moves are starting to be made,” says Gallant. “For the government, having early dialogue with industry, academia, researchers, and innovators on what they’re doing, what they’re able to do, and what you need is going to be absolutely crucial.”
"Increased collaboration between governments and the commercial space industry also stokes competition between companies and boosts innovation potential," says Clayton Swope, deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
“Different ideas will percolate to the surface,” Swope says, which could translate to more efficient products that reduce costs. “What’s the most efficient way to do this? The idea here is that the market could help find what that is,” he says.
A
A
NASA has also contracted private companies to transport astronauts to the International Space Station – as a service. This year, the US made its first successful moon landing in more than 50 years — the first using a spacecraft built by a private firm.
Given the scale of Ottawa’s recent investments, there is hope that Canada will catch up to other countries — especially its southern neighbor — in terms of building closer partnerships with the commercial space sector, which can lead to more agile procurement models.
“You see the most rapid progress at the axis where government interest in leveraging space meets commercial interest in delivering that capacity,” says Greenley, “because the innovation, investment, and delivery timelines in the commercial market are much faster.”
As an example, Washington now routinely buys launch services from SpaceX which has “massively changed the dynamic compared to historical US launch capability,” Greenley says.
“More launch capability means more access and more possibility for new space ventures. That adds up to a position of power for the US in commercial space.”
global shift to collaborate with the commercial space sector
“We’re putting up a very, very strong global space communication network that is led by two Canadian companies, and that capability will include communications capacity over the Arctic,” says Greenley. “Canadian companies are also leading in the area of greenhouse gas detection from space and the development of a domestic launch capability from Canada.”
Meanwhile, Canada is also enhancing its surveillance and communication systems, including more advanced satellites, as part of efforts by Ottawa’s and Washington’s plans to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command – NORAD is a US-Canada binational organization charged with aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for North America — and confront potential threats in the Arctic.
These advances, says Greenley, are being made “so Canada’s military can have solid communications and surveillance in the polar region while benefiting citizens on the ground as well.”
For decades, the space sector has played a key role in shaping Canada’s national identity, security, and economy. From the launch of the Alouette 1 scientific satellite in 1962 to the iconic Canadarm technology – developed by MDA Space and used for NASA’s Space Shuttles and the International Space Station – the Great White North has a proud history in space.
Ottawa continues to recognize the value of investing in space tech. It awarded MDA Space a CA$1 billion contract in June to build the next phase of Canadarm3 for the NASA-led Lunar Gateway mission. The Canadian Space Agency is also investing in next generation Earth observation satellites. Multiple levels of government in Canada are also supporting the Telesat Lightspeed constellation — for which MDA Space is building 198 advanced low Earth orbit, or LEO, satellites — designed to provide low-latency broadband connectivity around the world. This space-based network will help ensure that vast areas, including remote and rural parts of Canada, have access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet — which will be a game-changer for local businesses while also providing benefits for sectors ranging from health care and education to security, defense, and commercial shipping.
anada’s rich space legacy and promising future
C
Russia is trying to outpace NATO in the region with more military bases and a larger fleet of icebreaking ships. China, meanwhile, has made the dubious assertion that it is a “near-Arctic state” and is rushing to gain commercial and scientific advantages there. The concern in the West is that Beijing’s maneuverings suggest a possible play for a military presence in the region.
“We live in an ideal neighborhood, geographically and from the perspective of continental security, and we should be grateful for that,” says Brian Gallant, CEO of Space Canada. “But we can’t be blind to the fact that we have a strategic position nor to the fact that Russia, China, and others have interests in the North.”
Ottawa is now pointing to space and the Arctic as top priorities — as evidenced by the latest vision for Canadian defense, focused on “Our North, Strong and Free.” And with its recent pledge to form a National Space Council, Canada is signaling a commitment to staying competitive in the global race to maximize space as a resource and to sustain strategic advantage.
“Canada is the North in North America, and we certainly have all the technology to do great Arctic surveillance and monitoring — and Arctic communications as well,” Greenley adds.
These investments not only safeguard Canadian interests but also position Canada’s government to support strategic allies, including the United States, in responding to security challenges — from Russian aggression to China’s expanding ambitions — and the broader threat of climate change.
Canada, with 40% of its landmass in the Arctic, has long recognized the North’s paramount importance — and made early investments in satellite technology to monitor its large landmass and protect its sovereignty and peopl
“The absolute one place that Canada can be and should be in charge of is the Arctic,” says Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, the leading Canadian space technology company that built the country’s RADARSAT Constellation Mission satellites that are central to Arctic maritime surveillance.
Rich in oil and natural gas reserves and abundant fish species, the Arctic is rapidly transforming due to the changing global climate. As melting ice opens new areas for exploration, fishing, and shipping, this region is also becoming an increasingly important geopolitical staging ground for militarization.
aking charge in the Arctic
T
But that is rapidly changing. New satellite technology is upending our understanding of remote places and stands at the forefront of one of the most dramatic transformations of security, technology, exploration, and innovation. What is happening in space is having a revolutionary impact on Earth. And one country has the potential to lead the way: Canada.
“Part of the key to being able to manage a region for security purposes is to have an awareness of what’s going on,” says Troy Bouffard, director of the Center of Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “We have a severe limit on that in the Arctic.”
ven in the coldest, most desolate part of the world, a place where Russia might well have hoped to be unobserved, there were eyes in the sky to catch a stunning development.
Late last year, construction equipment, large trucks, and massive shipping containers were popping up at a Soviet-era nuclear test site on a remote Arctic island alongside new tunnels, roads, and storage facilities. Were these signs of impending danger? Satellite imagery revealed the startling activity, raising concerns Russia was preparing for a nuclear test. Around the same time, in November 2023, Russia revoked its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
The discovery underscored how crucial Earth observation satellites are amid mounting geopolitical competition in remote parts of the planet. Without such space-based technology, it would be impossible to track the changes — and potential problems and opportunities — emerging in this vast and strategically important region. The battle for Arctic supremacy, so vital for mineral resources and military advantage, is heating up.
E
1962
The first Canadian satellite, Alouette 1, is launched. Canada becomes the third nation in space.
1972
Anik A1 satellite is launched, making Canada the first nation to have a domestic communications satellite in geostationary orbit.
1981
Canada’s most famous robotic and technological achievement, Canadarm, is launched
1984
Astronaut Marc Garneau becomes the first Canadian to travel to space aboard Challenger.
1989
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is established.
1992
Astronaut Roberta Bondar becomes the first Canadian woman in space, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery.
1962
The first Canadian satellite, Alouette 1, is launched. Canada becomes the third nation in space.
1972
Anik A1 satellite is launched, making Canada the first nation to have a domestic communications satellite in geostationary orbit.
1981
Canada’s most famous robotic and technological achievement, Canadarm, is launched
1984
Astronaut Marc Garneau becomes the first Canadian to travel to space aboard Challenger.
1989
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is established.
1992
Astronaut Roberta Bondar becomes the first Canadian woman in space, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery.
1995
Carried by NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander, Canada’s meteorological station tracks weather and climate on Mars.
1997
The first high-resolution satellite image of the South Pole is taken by RADARSAT-1, Canada’s first Earth observation satellite operated by the Canadian Space Agency.
2001
Astronaut Chris Hadfield performs Canada’s first spacewalk, attaching Canadarm2 to the International Space Station.
2007
Launch of Canada’s RADARSAT-2 satellite, which provides high-quality data for environmental and resource monitoring, disaster management, and marine surveillance.
2003
Launch of Canadian satellite SCISAT, which monitors ozone depletion, especially changes occurring above Canada and the Arctic.
2008
Carried by NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander, Canada’s meteorological station tracks weather and climate on Mars.
2015
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) teams up with universities across Canada to prepare for the next stages in Martian exploration: sample return.
1995
Carried by NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander, Canada’s meteorological station tracks weather and climate on Mars.
1997
The first high-resolution satellite image of the South Pole is taken by RADARSAT-1, Canada’s first Earth observation satellite operated by the Canadian Space Agency.
2007
Launch of Canada’s RADARSAT-2 satellite, which provides high-quality data for environmental and resource monitoring, disaster management, and marine surveillance.
2001
Astronaut Chris Hadfield performs Canada’s first spacewalk, attaching Canadarm2 to the International Space Station.
2003
Launch of Canadian satellite SCISAT, which monitors ozone depletion, especially changes occurring above Canada and the Arctic.
2008
Carried by NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander, Canada’s meteorological station tracks weather and climate on Mars.
2015
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) teams up with universities across Canada to prepare for the next stages in Martian exploration: sample return.
2015
The Canadian Space Agency partners with Canadian universities on NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, contributing a laser mapping instrument and teams from York University and the University of Calgary for its development and sample analysis.
2019
Canada joins the NASA-led Lunar Gateway project, a station that will orbit the Moon, to contribute a smart robotic system. The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RSM), is launched to provide data for climate research and commercial applications.
2021
Canada contributed the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) and the Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) for the James Webb Space Telescope.
Canadian Space Agency (CSA)astronaut Jeremy Hansen is announced as the first Canadian to ever participate in a lunar mission as part of Artemis II.
2023
2015
The Canadian Space Agency partners with Canadian universities on NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, contributing a laser mapping instrument and teams from York University and the University of Calgary for its development and sample analysis.
2019
Canada joins the NASA-led Lunar Gateway project, a station that will orbit the Moon, to contribute a smart robotic system. The RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RSM), is launched to provide data for climate research and commercial applications.
2021
Canada contributed the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) and the Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) for the James Webb Space Telescope.
Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen is announced as the first Canadian to ever participate in a lunar mission as part of Artemis II.
2023
CANADA
Canada's
50+ Years
in Space
The Telesat Lightspeed Network, with the help of satellites built by MDA Space, will begin offering global internet services, including to the polar regions.
2027
SOURCE: Space Matters and Canadian Space Agency
Could SpAce
Make Canada
More Vital
Than Ever?
Making Sp ce to Reclaim
the Great White North
Branded content by
"As geopolitical competition heats up in the Arctic, Canada is emerging as a key player. Could space make Canada more vital than ever?