Latest news with #CanadianSpaceAgency
UPI
11 hours ago
- Science
- UPI
NASA readying for crewed Artemis II moon flight
1 of 5 | Artemis II crew cheers the Crew 11 mission during a press conference at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo July 30 (UPI) -- NASA is preparing for its April 2026 Artemis II 10-day mission that will send a crew of four around the moon to prepare for future crewed moon landings. The Artemis II mission will demonstrate a variety of capabilities that are needed to complete deep-space missions, including those to the moon and Mars, the space agency said. The Artemis II crew is comprised of mission commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. Hansen is from the Canadian Space Agency and will join the three NASA astronauts to make the mission an international endeavor. The Artemis II mission will confirm all of the spacecraft's systems and equipment will work as intended while supporting a crew of four in deep space. The mission also enables long-term exploration and science missions on the moon's surface. A Space Launch System super-heavy-lift rocket will launch an Orion spacecraft and its crew into space for the 10-day mission. Orion's European-built service module enables the spacecraft to break away from Earth's orbit and reach the moon by using an injection burn. The mission will carry the spacecraft and crew on a figure-eight course extending more than 230,000 miles from Earth and 4,600 miles beyond the moon. It will take four days to go beyond the moon and another four days to return to Earth. A prior uncrewed Artemis I mission was launched in November 2022 and orbited the moon. It was NASA's first moon mission since the space agency cancelled its Apollo program in December 1972. NASA's Artemis II crew discuss moon mission The Artemis II astronauts give a shout out to the Crew 11 mission during a press conference at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on July 30, 2025. Left to right, Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Mission Specialist Christina Hammock Koch, Pilot Victor Glover and Commander Reid Wiseman. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo
CTV News
14 hours ago
- Science
- CTV News
You can watch the ‘best meteor shower of the year' in Canada. Here's how
Canadians have the chance to see dozens of fiery, colourful shooting stars during what the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) calls 'the best meteor shower of the year.' The Perseids meteor shower puts on a spectacle every year, from late July to mid-August, in the Northern Hemisphere, including Canada, the CSA says. This year, it is active from July 14 to Sept. 1 and expected to peak on the evening of Aug. 12 or 13, according to the American Meteor Society. 'The Perseids are one of the most plentiful showers with about 50 to 100 meteors seen per hour,' according to NASA. The Perseids are named after the constellation Perseus from where they appear to fall, the CSA says. Perseus was a Greek mythological hero. What causes Perseids? Comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle causes the Perseids. The meteor shower forms when the Earth crosses the comet's orbital path, passing the debris of dust and gravel it leaves behind from orbiting the sun, according to the CSA. As the debris disintegrates in the atmosphere, it transforms into meteors. Viewing tips For best viewing, look up at the sky between moonset and dawn, or the darkest hours after midnight when most meteors will appear, the CSA advises. You have more chances of seeing the shooting stars in areas away from city lights, such as the countryside, the CSA said. Dressing warmly is recommended because nights can be chilly, and wait patiently as it may take a while for the shooting star to show up, the CSA says.
The Market Online
2 days ago
- Business
- The Market Online
MDA Space selected by Canadian Space Agency for early-phase study of lunar utility vehicle
MDA Space (TSX:MDA) has been selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to lead an early-phase study for Canada's proposed lunar utility vehicle The study will focus on developing the mission architecture, evaluating technology options, and conducting risk assessments to ensure the Lunar Utility Vehicle is ready for the harsh and unpredictable conditions of the lunar surface A key component of the project will be the integration of MDA Skymaker, a modular suite of space robotics technologies derived from the iconic Canadarm MDA Space stock (TSX:MDA) last traded at C$39.48 MDA Space (TSX:MDA), a mission partner to the global space industry, announced that it has been selected by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to lead an early-phase study for Canada's proposed lunar utility vehicle. This initiative could mark a significant step forward in Canada's ambitions to support sustainable lunar exploration and logistics. This content has been prepared as part of a partnership with MDA Space Ltd. and is intended for informational purposes only. The study, led by MDA Space, will bring together a powerhouse of Canadian innovation, including the Centre de Technologies Avancées BRP – Université de Sherbrooke (CTA) and the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS). The collaboration leverages MDA Space's extensive experience in mission-critical space systems, CTA's deep expertise in rugged off-road vehicle development, and UTIAS's cutting-edge work in autonomous systems. The study will focus on developing the mission architecture, evaluating technology options, and conducting risk assessments to ensure the lunar utility vehicle is ready for the harsh and unpredictable conditions of the lunar surface. It follows a successful autonomous lunar surface demonstration conducted by the MDA Space team at CSA headquarters in December 2024. A key component of the project will be the integration of MDA Skymaker, a modular suite of space robotics technologies derived from the iconic Canadarm. Skymaker will enable scalable, autonomous mobility solutions designed to support a wide range of lunar operations, from cargo transport to infrastructure deployment. 'This early concept study will help build the foundation for new lunar logistics solutions to support long-term human presence on the Moon, enabling reliable delivery of cargo, resources, and mobility for future missions,' Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space said in a news release. Earlier this month, the team successfully demonstrated the digital formation and electronic steering of multiple Ka-band beams using direct sampling with its Aurora direct radiating array — a first in the industry. The company will likely have more to report when it releases its Q2 2025 financial results before market open on Thursday, August 7, 2025. MDA Space Ltd. is a partner to the global space industry specializing in robotics, satellite systems and geointelligence. The company brings over 55 years of experience across more than 450 missions, including the development of the Canadarm robotic arm system. MDA Space stock (TSX:MDA) last traded at C$39.48 and has risen 207.41 per cent since this time last year, with 34.91 per cent growth since the year began. Join the discussion: Find out what the Bullboards are saying about MDA Space and check out the rest of Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. Stockhouse does not provide investment advice or recommendations. All investment decisions should be made based on your own research and consultation with a registered investment professional. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein. For full disclaimer information, please click here .
CTV News
19-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Canada will feel the impact ‘severely' if NASA cuts funding: expert
York University's Paul Delaney breaks down how $6-billion in cuts to NASA's funding may pave the way for China to dominate the space race. As NASA faces the threat of US$6 billion in cuts under U.S. President Donald Trump's budget request, one astronomy expert says Canada will certainly feel the impact if the drastic financial reductions go through. Paul Delaney, former director of the Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory, told CTV Your Morning on Thursday the budget cuts will severely impact every single program in NASA, making it the largest financial assault on the space agency in history. In turn, it could position other countries, namely China, to take the lead in space exploration. China is swiftly pushing forward in space exploration, with plans to put humans on the moon by early 2030. 'There is little doubt that…(NASA) will take second place,' Delaney said. He also expects that the financial threat to the space agency will lead to more privatization in the sector. Delaney said the cuts to NASA's budget will directly impact not just the Canadian Space Agency, but all researchers that are involved in space science. One item that Delaney says may be on the chopping block is the latest version of the Canada Arm, or Canadarm3, which is the country's contribution to the U.S.-led Gateway project, a space station in lunar orbit. 'The impact on Canada, in terms of both hardware generation, as well as research, could be extremely significant, forcing us of course to go elsewhere to lend our expertise,' he said. Delaney adds that the fall out from the budget cuts will run deeper than putting 'boots on Mars'. 'Your cellphone technology has been powered in very large measure by the types of activities we've developed going into space,' he said. 'The spin-offs are almost incalculable.' CNN reported on Thursday that more than 2,000 agency employees are set to voluntarily leave NASA in the coming months under the Trump administration's 'deferred resignation' program, introduced by former Trump ally Elon Musk, who is CEO of NASA's largest contractor, SpaceX.
CTV News
19-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
How will the proposed NASA budget cuts impact Canada?
York University's Paul Delaney breaks down how $6-billion in cuts to NASA's funding may pave the way for China to dominate the space race. As NASA faces the threat of US$6 billion in cuts under U.S. President Donald Trump's budget request, one astronomy expert says Canada will certainly feel the impact if the drastic financial reductions go through. Paul Delaney, former director of the Allan I. Carswell Astronomical Observatory, told CTV Your Morning on Thursday the budget cuts will severely impact every single program in NASA, making it the largest financial assault on the space agency in history. In turn, it could position other countries, namely China, to take the lead in space exploration. China is swiftly pushing forward in space exploration, with plans to put humans on the moon by early 2030. 'There is little doubt that…(NASA) will take second place,' Delaney said. He also expects that the financial threat to the space agency will lead to more privatization in the sector. Delaney said the cuts to NASA's budget will directly impact not just the Canadian Space Agency, but all researchers that are involved in space science. One item that Delaney says may be on the chopping block is the latest version of the Canada Arm, or Canadarm3, which is the country's contribution to the U.S.-led Gateway project, a space station in lunar orbit. 'The impact on Canada, in terms of both hardware generation, as well as research, could be extremely significant, forcing us of course to go elsewhere to lend our expertise,' he said. Delaney adds that the fall out from the budget cuts will run deeper than putting 'boots on Mars'. 'Your cellphone technology has been powered in very large measure by the types of activities we've developed going into space,' he said. 'The spin-offs are almost incalculable.' CNN reported on Thursday that more than 2,000 agency employees are set to voluntarily leave NASA in the coming months under the Trump administration's 'deferred resignation' program, introduced by former Trump ally Elon Musk, who is CEO of NASA's largest contractor, SpaceX.
