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Benefits for Canadians

Earth Observation (EO) enables monitoring of the environment with unparalleled coverage and scope, enhancing our forecasting capabilities and our understanding of environmental systems.

EO data are used for sustainable management and development of natural resources, land use, fisheries and agriculture and providing support for disaster management.

EO missions are critical to security and sovereignty, offering cost-effective, wide-area surveillance of land and maritime environments that are difficult to access such as the Northwest Passage.

Among Canada's government users benefiting from EO data are Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Ice Service, Natural Resources Canada, the Department of National Defence, and the Provinces and Territories.

Expected Result

The benefits of activities involved in Earth Observation from space serve Canadian users in the fields of environment, resources and land-use management, and security and sovereignty.

Main Accomplishments in 2009-2010

RADARSAT-2 is fully operational since April 2008. The Canadian Government has a $445 million credit over the life of the satellite. There is a substantial increase in the use of data by a number Canadian government departments which used data valued at over $34 million in 2009-2010 compared to $13.8 million in 2008-2009.

The CSA continued the planning and development of the first of three satellites for the RADARSAT Constellation, the follow-on mission to RADARSAT-2, to be launched in 2014 and 2015. A Preliminary Design, initiated in November 2008, was completed in March 2010 and the detailed design phase started in March 2010.

The CSA ensured Canada's commitment, as an official member of the International Charter Space and Major Disasters. CSA continued to contribute critical EO images in support of relief, aid and humanitarian efforts undertaken in response to disasters in countries around the world. This year alone CSA has supported 30 Charter activations providing data world-wide for covering different disaster types such as floods, earthquakes, volcanos, oil spills, land slides, and hurricanes.

Indicator 1 - Performance Analysis

(Year) = Actual or projected launch date or date of completion when known.
* = New missions in 2009-2010 = 3% (1/36)

EO missions at the Operation stage (9): * = 0
CloudSat (2006), ESA-ENVISAT (2002), ESA-ERS-2 (2005), ESA-GOCE (2009), MOPITT (1999), OSIRIS (2001), RADARSAT-1 (1995), RADARSAT-2 (2008), SciSat (2003).

EO missions at the Development stage(13): * = 0
RADARSAT Constellation (2014), ESA/JAXA-EarthCARE (2013), ESA-ADM/Aeolus (2009), ESA-Cryosat (2009), ESA-Sentinel-1 (2011), ESA-Sentinel-2 (2012, 2016), ESA-Sentinel-3, ESA-Sentinel-5 Precursor, ESA-SMOS (2009), ESA-Swarm (2011), JC2Sat, NIRST (AQUARIUS / SAC-D) (2010), PROBA-2 (2009).

EO missions under review (14):  * = 1
CANSOC, CASS, MCAP, MEOS, MOPITT-2, PCW/PolarSat (weather component) (2016), PHEMOS (Atmospheric component)*, SMAP, Snowsat, SOAR, STEP, SWIFT (Chinook) (2014), TICFIRE, WaMI.

Missions' descriptions can be found in the electronic version of "Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome – Detailed Performance Information" at the following address: 
http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/publications/default.asp#parliament

Indicator 2 – Performance Analysis

A total of 15 applications became operational in 2009-2010 compared to 23 last year; 5 from the EOADP and 10 from GRIP divided as such: 8 monitoring applications (e.g. Environmental Monitoring, Ecological Integrity, Ice Movement Mapping; Water Quality Monitoring), 4 detecting applications (e.g. Oil Slick and Ship Detection; Forest Monitoring; Energy and Biomass Monitoring), and 3 measuring applications (e.g. Soil Moisture and Geological and Water Monitoring, Winds and Waves Extraction).

Source: Internal documents.

Indicator 3 – Performance Analysis

Thirty-five of the 74 uses (47%) reported had national purposes. The uses could be grouped under four main themes: Natural disaster, the Great North/Arctic, Water/Fisheries, Forest/Mining/Agriculture. Here are a few examples taken from CSA's EO Express publication:

Natural catastrophes: Studying satellite radar data from the ENVISAT Earth observation satellite, scientists have begun analyzing the movement of Earth during and after the 6.3 earthquake that shook the medieval town of L'Aquila in central Italy on 6 April. (Edition 34 - topic 11)

In July 2009, heavy rains have caused floods and landslides in mountainous northern regions of Vietnam. According to officials, at least 15 deaths were reported and houses and roads have been destroyed by floods. The Canadian RADARSAT-2 Earth observation satellite is a key resource in a variety of disaster management scenarios. The ability to deliver data to regional authorities is essential for relief operations to map and monitor damage and for assessing the impact. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Vietnam has used RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 flashed-flood products to better manage the event in Nguyen Phuc, Bach Thong, Bac Kan Provinces. (Edition 37 - topic 8)

The Great North/Arctic: The RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 mosaic of the Foxe Basin region captures the contrast of the icy shallower waters of Foxe Basin with the warmer deeper waters of the Foxe Channel. It ensures the safety of Canadians, their property and their environment by warning them of hazardous ice conditions in Canadian territorial waters; and provides present and future generations of Canadians with sufficient knowledge about their ice environment to support sound environmental policies. (Edition 41 - Topic 4)

Water/Fisheries: Ocean waves are a very important marine physical factor for coastal protection, offshore oil and gas development, transportation, people involved in fisheries, and marine recreation, wind and wave energy farms. Spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR), such as RADARSAT-2, can provide large area high spatial resolution observations of ocean waves under all-weather conditions. Development of new improved retrievals of wave and wind information by means of polarimetric RADARSAT-2 data in open-sea and coastal regions can contribute to improved marine forecasts in these areas. Improved wave and wind information is directly relevant to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) priorities. (Edition 35 - Topic 2)

Forest/Mining/Agriculture: Extreme weather along with climate change induced natural disasters is a major concern to all of Canada, particularly to the Canadian Prairies, and each year at least some part of the country is impacted. To monitor drought, crop condition and soil moisture provides crucial information for adaptation and mitigation programs. At regional and national scale, high and medium resolution microwave and optical satellites EO information offers the unique opportunity to derive many surface parameters over a range of temporal and spatial scales. The value added EO data from sensors like ENVISAT/MERIS and RADARSAT-2 are integrated in agriculture related models such as productivity efficiency model (PEM) and Ecological Assimilation of Land and Climate Observations (EALCO). This will further improve agricultural decision making, increase the ability to manage extreme events (e.g. drought, flood), and strengthen the Earth observation capabilities. (Edition 42 - Topic 1)

Benefits for Canadians

The CSA sustains and increases Canada's contribution to humankind's scientific knowledge and to the development of space related technologies. Research in physical and life sciences and in space exploration has great potential to bring about socio-economic benefits.

Space Science and Exploration (SE) endeavours, which invariably involve international partners, position Canada to play an influential role in building strong and mutually beneficial partnerships with an increasing number of space faring countries. In striving to become one of the most advanced, connected and innovative nation in the world, space science and exploration stimulates some of the brightest minds to contribute to the Canadian economy in an increasingly competitive international environment.

Expected Result

Participation in Canadian and international missions expands the scientific knowledge base made available to Canadian academia and research and development communities in the areas of astronomy, space exploration and solar-terrestrial relations, as well as in the physical and life sciences.

Main Accomplishments in 2009-2010

As a member of the first permanent six-person crew of the International Space Station (ISS), Dr. Robert Thirsk became the first Canadian astronaut to live and work on the ISS for a six-month period where he assumed responsibilities for the maintenance and repair of the ISS and conducted experiments on behalf of Canadian and international researchers.

Astronaut Julie Payette flew on a 15-day mission to the ISS where she used two Canadian and one Japanese robotic arms to install the Kibo Japanese Experiment facilities. These facilities provide an external platform for scientific experiments in the exposed environment of space.

The Canadian TriDAR vision system was used on two flights for the docking of the Space Shuttle to the ISS. This advanced technology could be considered for future space exploration missions.

CSA completed the testing of critical elements of the James Webb and Indian Space Agency space telescopes. This participation has garnered 5% of observing time for Canadian scientists on the telescopes when launched in 2014.

Indicator 1 – Performance Analysis

(Year) = Actual or projected launch date or date of completion when known.
* = New missions in 2009-2010 – 19% (20/107)

SE missions completed (25): * = 2
Astronauts: EXPEDITION 20/21 (C1), STS-115 (2006), STS-118 (2007), STS-121 (2006), STS-127 (2009), TMA-6/10S (2005), BLAST (2007), eOSTEO (2007), EVARM, FUSE (2008), HAWAII (2010) *, H-Reflex, ICE-First (2004), Matroshka-R (2008); MSS: STS-114 (2005), STS-119 (2009), STS-123 IJ/A DEXTRE (2008), STS-124 (2008), STS-126 (2008); Phoenix (2008), PMDIS (2009), SCCO (2009), TRAC (2008), TriDAR DTO STS-128 (08-2009) *, WISE (2005).

SE missions at the Operation stage (18): * = 3
APEX-Cambium (2009), APEX-CSA 2 (2010) *, BCAT-5 (2009), BISE (2009), CADC/Hubble (2008), CCISS (2007), CGSM (2007), ELERAD (2006), ESA-Hershel-HIFI/Spire (2009), ESA-MICAST (2009), ESA-Planck (2009), ESA-SODI DSC *, ESA-SODI IVIDIL *, FPEF-JAXA-Mangaroni Liquid Bridge (2008), MOST (2003), MVIS (2008), THEMIS (2007, 2011), Vascular (2009).

SE missions at the Development stage (21): * = 7
ADAMS, BCAT-C1 (2011, 2012) *, BRITE-Constellation (2011) *, CASSIOPE-ePOP (2011), CCAP (2014) *, CHENSS (2014), CIMEX (2011), EBEX, ESA-Exomars (2016) *, ESA-NEQUISOL (2010), ESA-Swarm (2011), Hypersole (2010), ICAPS (2010), JWST-FGS (2014), MSL-APXS (2011), NEOSSat (2011), PRET (2010) *, RADI-N *, SPIDER (2012), TriDAR DTO STS-131 (04-2010) *,UVIT-ASTROSAT (2010).

SE missions under review (43): * = 8
Aquatic Orgs in ug *, ASTRO-H (2009) *, CanALSS, Dark Energy Mission (2009) *, DynAMO, ESA-Cross-scale, EVIS, FPNS, GPR, HALO, ILN, Insect Habitat, ISRU, LEMUR, LiteArm, LORE, LSC, Lunar Rover, Luna-Resource-Concept 1 *, Luna-Resource-Concept 2 *, MEMS LIDAR, M-FTSIS, MIM/ATEN, MLM, MSO-FTIR, MSO-SAR, MSR NET (Vision System), MWD, New FRONTIERS *, OCLE-DOCLE, ORBITALS (2014), PHEMOS *, RAO, RAPIER, RAVENS (2004), Remote Care Health Providers, ROSM, SBIS, SCOPE, Si Si-Ge alloys *, SPICA, TRACTEUR, VSE.

Missions' descriptions can be found in the electronic version of "Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome – Detailed Performance Information" at the following address:
http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/publications/default.asp#parliament

Indicator 2 – Performance Analysis

The total of 68 scientific instruments and technological applications is associated with 35 missions. This number represents an additional 10 instruments/applications compared to last year. When divided by the number of missions, the number of instruments shows a ratio of 1.9 instrument/application per mission; some having a least one related instrument/application up to a maximum of 10 per mission. These 68 instruments/applications can be divided among 4 different fields: 33 instruments/applications were developed for Astronomy/Planetary Exploration missions (49%); 21 instruments/applications for Solar-Terrestrial Relation missions (31%); 11 instruments/applications were developed for Life/Physical Sciences missions (16%), and, 3 instruments/applications were developed for Space Operational Medicine (4%).

Source: Internal documents.

Indicator 3 - Performance Analysis

A total of 197 peer-reviewed papers, reports and conference proceedings acknowledging CSA's funding were published in 2009-2010 in Space Astronomy and Exploration, Solar-Terrestrial Relation, and Physical and Life Sciences. This number represents a 50% decrease from the 397 reported in 2008-2009.

Source: Internal reporting documents.

Benefits for Canadians

Satellite Communications (SC) facilitates the linking of all Canadians by increasing the delivery of non-commercial services to Canadian remote communities, and support federal Government departments' program delivery.

Space infrastructure allows access and dissemination of timely health, cultural, security and safety related information to all Canadians wherever they live in Canada. Satellite communications are essential to providing Canadians living in remote areas with timely access to expert knowledge and expertise related to health and education through a range of non-commercial services including: e-government, e-learning, tele-justice, tele-education, as well as tele-medicine.

Expected Result

State-of-the-art systems and applications are developed to satisfy the needs of the Canadian government and population in order to ensure that Canada remains a world leader in satellite communications.

Main Accomplishments in 2009-2010

The CSA completed the environmental testing of the Cascade telecommunications payload as part of the CASSIOPE Mission which is ready for launch in 2011.

The CSA completed the ground segment infrastructure upgrade needed for the utilization of the Government of Canada capacity credit of the Anik F2 satellite by northern communities.  

The mission and preliminary system requirements for the Polar Communications and Weather mission have started in order to meet the needs for a full-time communications coverage over Canada up to the North Pole.

Indicator 1 – Performance Analysis

(Year) = Actual or projected launch date or date of completion when known.
* = New missions; None in 2009-2010.

SC missions at the development stage (5):*=0
Anik F2 Utilization (2010), Cassiope-CASCADE (2010), ESA–Alphasat, ESA-Gallileo SAT (2010), M3MSat (2011).

SC missions under review (3):*=0
Next Generation – Advanced Broadband payload # 1 (2014), PCW (telecommunication aspect) (2016), QuickSat.

Missions' descriptions can be found in the electronic version of "Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome – Detailed Performance Information" at the following address:
http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/publications/default.asp#parliament

Indicator 2 – Performance Analysis

A total of 8 applications, compared to 5 in 2008-2009, were identified for the 5 missions listed above: Anik F2 ruggedized ground infrastructure and terminal servicing, Cascade (data storage unit) on board Cassiope, Antennas and filters for ESA-Alphasat, the MEOSAR instrument on board Galileo satellite and the RSS-GEMS for traffic identification, and 2 Automatic Identification System related applications for M3MSat; 63% of those applications (5/8) were related to Communications whereas the other 37% supported were related to Security/Search and Rescue. All applications, except one, served national objectives; MEOSAR which is developed in collaboration with ESA will serve the international community.

Source: CSA internal documents.

Benefits for Canadians

Through its investments in Research and Development and in the development of applications, and the resulting transfers of technology to the private and public sectors, the CSA's programs and activities attract highly skilled labour that contributes to Canada's knowledge-based economy; help enhance the Canadian space industry's competitiveness by encouraging dynamic trade relationships with other nations; and increase Canada's ability to compete in the global marketplace.

Expected Result

Canada's industrial technological capabilities can meet the needs of future space missions and activities.

Main Accomplishments in 2009-2010

The Generic Technological Activities (GTA) continued to bring industry and research organizations to propose innovative technologies, reduce risk on critical technologies required for future missions of Canadian interest, and contributed to the enhancement of Canadian capabilities.

CSA's portfolio of patents was entirely reviewed. Only patents with the highest potential of being licensed were maintained. Three new licenses were negotiated and five commercial studies were conducted on the potential transfer of emerging technologies to the private sector.

Indicator 1 - Performance Analysis

Measured for the second time, the ratio remained the same as last year's 2.1. Over the years, the ratio should get closer to 1, meaning that almost all technological priorities will have been selected and developed.

Source: Internal reporting documents.

Indicator 2 – Performance Analysis

In order to be considered "ready to be use", a technology must reach a level of readiness (TRL) of "6" or higher on the scale developed by NASA. As a new technology proceeds to a higher level of maturity, the risk associated with its implementation in a space mission lessens substantially. Each level represents a development milestones, such as:

TRL 6: System model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment;
TRL 7: System prototype demonstration in a space environment;
TRL 8: Actual system completed and "flight qualified" through test and demonstration; and,
TRL 9: Actual system "flight proven" through successful mission operations.

It takes time and investment for a new technology to reach these levels of readiness and therefore the priority selection often precedes the actual need and eventual use by several years. None of the newly prioritized technologies reached the "readiness" stage in 2009-2010.

Source: Internal reporting documents.

Benefits for Canadians

The CSA fosters science and technology literacy as a mean to influence the career choices of young Canadians towards science and technology.

Expected Result

Targeted level of awareness of space among Canadians is reached.

Main Accomplishments in 2009-2010

The number of visitors to the CSA's interactive website decreased by 35% from 1,616 million in 2008-2009 to 1,050 million in 2009-2010.

A total of 102 public events were conducted in communities throughout Canada, including 15 specifically involving Canadian astronauts, and 4 traveling exhibits were loaned for display with science center partners to raise awareness of space science and technology.

A total of 1,221 educators received professional development in workshops conducted in provinces across the country and at annual conferences of teachers in four provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Prince Edward Island.

Students from across the country were reached through an estimated 6.9 million occasions ranging from workshops and learning materials developed by the CSA to activities and events supported by the Space Learning Grants and Contributions Program.

Benefits for Canadians

The CSA strengthened accountability for results by implementing the Government's commitment to modernize Public Service management. Improvement of internal services at all levels of management raises the overall level of organizational performance by providing an added value to CSA managers in the performance of their duties.

Expected Result #1

Internal Services provide an added value to CSA managers in the performance of their duties.

Indicator 1 - Performance Analysis

The Treasury Board's assessment addresses only indicators related to management quality.

Overall, the results are slightly better than the assessment in 2008-2009. Compared to 2008-2009, 4 areas of management have improved, 14 have remained the same, 1 has declined. The number of areas of management at the acceptable level increased from 13 to 15 and the number of areas showing an opportunity for improvement declined from 5 to 4.

Since the Round VI assessment, the CSA has assigned an officer of primary interest for each areas of management and a compliance report is used to monitor progress being made to achieve targeted ratings.

Source: Round VII 2009-2010 Management Accountability Framework Assessment. (May 2010)

Expected Result #2

The three highest priority risks identified in the CSA Corporate Risk Profile are addressed and mitigated.

Indicator 1 - Performance Analysis

Six out of 12 actions (50%) were completed for the corporate risk Integration and implementation defined as "The capacity of CSA to align its strategies, planning, priorities, funding levels, operations and capacity to deliver, and to obtain clear understanding and buy-in from managers and staff at all levels". The corporate risk assessment concluded that this risk remains a high priority and a mitigation action plan was developed.

Five out of the 7 (71%) actions were completed for the corporate risk Workforce defined as "The capacity of CSA to hire and maintain a qualified workforce of public servants to deliver its mandate." The corporate risk assessment concluded that this risk remains a high priority and a mitigation action plan was developed.

Three out of 4 actions (75%) were completed for the corporate risk Trust in CSA Governance defined as "The capacity of CSA in gaining and maintaining the confidence of the Minister, Central Agencies and stakeholders in the governance and effective management of its affairs in accordance with the Public Service Values and Ethics". The corporate risk assessment concluded that this risk is no longer a high priority.

Source: CSA Corporate Risk Profile (Internal document).