Joint Astrophysics Colloquium

Joint Astrophysics Seminar

The Canadian Space Science Program and Opportunities

David Kendall

CSA

The space science program managed by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) supports six scientific discipline areas: space astronomy, planetary exploration, atmospheric sciences, solar-terrestrial physics, space life sciences and space physical (microgravity) sciences. Canada has a long and distinguished history of excellence in the space sciences and today, just over 20% of the CSA's annual budget of approximately $300M goes to supporting space science activities. The space science program provides opportunities for Canadian scientists to fly experiments in space through regular, competitive announcements of opportunity. It also actively seeks opportunities to participate in major missions of partner agencies, principally NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) of which we are the only non-European associate member. This talk will provide an overview of the Canadian Space Agency in general and the Canadian space science program in particular, describe some of the past and current experiments and missions that we have flown, and concentrate on future directions and opportunities for the Canadian academic community to participate in the program.