Canada Rises As A 21st Century Space Power
Space exploration and development is becoming increasingly multipolar in the 21st century. Astralytical has previously documented the rise of a trio of East Asian space powerhouses in the 21st century, China, Japan, and India, while also noting the decline in European space launch capacity.
Canada is another rising space power that has created a seat for itself at the table as humanity pushes deeper into the Solar System. Canada has a legacy of significant contributions to the International Space Station and is a major partner in NASA’s Artemis crewed lunar exploration program.
How robust is Canada’s space program? How deep is the connection with NASA and the Artemis program? What can be expected from the Canadian space program for the rest of the 2020s and beyond?
The answers to these questions could be surprisingly impactful as this new Space Age begins to truly unfold.
Slow & Steady Rise for Canadian Space Exploration
Canada’s space program began with sounding rockets and small satellites in the decades after World War II but at a slower overall pace than the US or the USSR. Canada joined the Space Age alongside other second-tier space programs such as Japan, Britain, and France. These early projects included the Black Brant family of sounding rockets that has become one of the most popular sounding rockets ever developed, used repeatedly by Canada and the US space agency, NASA.
Alouette I became Canada’s first satellite in 1962, making them the third nation at the time after the US and the USSR to construct their own satellite. The mission was developed jointly with the US and launched on a NASA rocket, marking the beginning of a deepening space partnership that continues to this day.
An image of Alouette I, Canada’s first satellite, launched in 1962. Source: Wikipedia.
Alouette I spent 10 years studying Earth’s ionosphere, well past its initial 1 year life expectancy. It was eventually joined by its backup, Alouette II, which brought more advanced research systems to orbit and also lasted an impressive 10 years.
The Anik series of satellites followed in 1972, making Canada the first nation in the world with a domestic geostationary satellite communication network (all previous versions had been global in nature). The network continued to grow throughout the 1970s and 1980s, establishing Canadian proficiency in satellite manufacturing and operation.
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) was founded in 1990 to build on these early successes. The primary goals of the agency are “to promote the peaceful use and development of space, to advance the knowledge of space through science and to ensure that space science and technology provide social and economic benefits for Canadians.”
The agency is also responsible for overseeing Canada’s prominent crewed space exploration program, although there were Canadian astronauts before the agency was founded.
Canada has developed deep and substantive international partnerships with the US, Japan, India, and particularly Europe since the beginning of their space exploration efforts. While the US and Canada are obvious partners in space, a 2002 European Space Agency Report highlighted some reasons that Canada has at times gravitated across the Atlantic when aiming for the stars.
According to a 1976 report from Canadian Minister John Chapman “Canada's natural partner is the USA, but we are overwhelmed by the size and depth of the US program, while the European program is comparable (relative to GNP) to the effort Canada is putting forward in space.”
“NASA was so huge compared with us, we had no chance of modifying or influencing the scope of a NASA program,” added Colin Franklin. “We thought that with Europe, we would be dealing with a smaller outfit more our size,” (ESA Report pg. 1).
In 1968 Canada gained Observer status at the European Space & Research Organization (later the European Space Agency), and in 1979 it gained Co-operating State status. This grants Canadian firms the ability to bid on ESA contracts and gives the CSA a seat at the table for planning and operational purposes.
Canada participated in a number of major European telecommunications and Earth observation programs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. However, there were concerns by ESA members that Canada was “trying to do too much with too little money and there were fears this could result in a rapid reduction in Canadian space activities,” (ESA Report pg. 9).
Canada and the European Space Agency have regularly updated this partnership, and in 2019 extended it to 2030. They also joined the ESA’s Space Safety Programme and confirmed more than $60 million in new investments in various joint Canadian-ESA programs.
Canada-US space relations took a significant step forward in 1975 when a Canadian firm was awarded the contract to build the external manipulator arm for the Space Shuttles. Canadarm was a durable, dextrous mechanical arm that first flew in 1981 and was attached to each Space Shuttle to allow for unloading cargo, launching satellites, and inspecting the outside of the spacecraft. NASA ordered a total of five Canadarm’s that flew on 90 Space Shuttle missions and were an indispensable part of NASA’s Space Shuttle program.
Photo of Canadarm being deployed on STS-2. Source: Canadian Space Agency
The 1990s also saw Canada join the International Space Station program, bringing the expertise learned from Canadarm into the Canadarm 2 project. This newer evolution is three times the size of its predecessor and has similar or better range of motion and dexterity than a human arm. It is capable of moving up and down the station moving cargo and modules. It would not be possible for the modern ISS to exist without Canadarm 2.
Canada has leveraged the Canadarm series in exchange for seats for Canadian astronauts aboard the ISS, a demonstration of the tangible benefits of their prowess in space-based robotics.
Image of Canadarm 2 operating on the underside of the International Space Station. Source: NASA
Another major dimension of Canada-US space relations is defense. NORAD is the joint air and space defense command for both nations and includes significant cooperation on issues such as satellite observation and tracking.
Canada recently moved to establish their own version of Space Command as a branch of the Canadian Air Force, demonstrating the growing focus on space defense as a component of Canada’s space ecosystem.
The overall impact of the Canadian space program can be seen in the following chart courtesy of Deloitte Canada. It shows cumulative number of objects launched into orbit, with Canada ranking a respectable #9 on the list.
Canada ranks 9th overall in terms of total number of objects launched into orbit. Source: Deloitte Canada “Reaching Beyond” Pg. 6
Canada has developed unique expertise in space-based robotics and built international partnerships that have grown through the decades. In recent years Canadian tech was critical for major programs like the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. There was one major component that was necessary for Canada to mature their space program to the next level.
Astronauts.
Canadian Astronauts Prepare for Deep Space
A total of fourteen Canadians have been recruited as astronauts, ten of whom have retired, leaving a current astronaut corp of four.
Marc Garneau became the first Canadian in space on October 5, 1984, the first of his three Space Shuttle missions. Before becoming an astronaut, he served in the Royal Canadian Navy, and afterwards became a Member of Parliament and eventually the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Official photograph of Marc Garneau, the first Canadian in space. Source: Canadian Space Agency
Garneau was not the only Canadian astronaut to rise to a prominent position in Canadian politics. Julie Payette participated in two Space Shuttle flights (STS-96 & STS-127) during her astronaut career before eventually being appointed Governor General of Canada.
Chris Hadfield flew to space on three separate Space Shuttle missions, with his first mission a 1995 trip to the Russian Mir space station. In 2001 he became the first Canadian to conduct an Extravehicular Activity (EVA) when he participated in the mission that attached Canadarm 2 to the exterior of the International Space Station.
In March 2013 on Hadfield’s third and final mission he became the first Canadian to serve as Commander of the International Space Station. He also created a global social media presence, hosting one of the most popular Reddit AMAs (Ask Me Anythings) of all time and generating one of the largest social media followings of any astronaut. Hadfield also made history by releasing the first song ever recorded in space.
Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of the Canadian Astronaut Corp relates to a mission that hasn’t even happened yet. On April 3rd, 2023 it was announced that Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen would be a member of Artemis II, the first crewed mission to return to the vicinity of the Moon since the days of Apollo.
Official photo of Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Source: Canadian Space Agency
Hansen was born in London, Ontario. When Artemis II launches sometime in 2025 or 2026, he will become the first non-American to venture beyond Earth orbit into deep space. He will also have the highly unique distinction of his first spaceflight going right to lunar orbit, as he has never before flown in space.
Hansen’s backup is Canadian astronaut Jeni Gibbons, who has also yet to visit space and will become the third Canadian woman in space if she is called on to replace Hansen.
While not the largest astronaut corps in the world, it is clear that Canadian astronauts punch above their weight in impact and boldness. They will most certainly be at the forefront of this coming new era of crewed lunar exploration.
Canada’s Space Economy Growing, With Bumps
There are many positive signs of momentum in Canadian space exploration in addition to astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s historic Artemis flight.
According to Space Canada, the modern Canadian space economy employs over 20,000 people and contributes more than $2.5 billion annually to Canada’s GDP. Major Canadian firms are now players in the global space sector, including MDA, Telesat, GHGSat, Earth Daily, and Magellan Aerospace. These companies are on the cutting edge of space-based robotics, data analysis, and satellite development and operation.
Government support remains a key driver of the Canadian space economy. A recent partnership between the Canadian Space Agency and Impact Canada awarded a $500,000 prize to a firm working in deep space healthcare applications.
The Lunar Exploration Accelerator Partnership is designed to provide a wide range of opportunities for Canadian companies and universities to develop projects intended for both lunar orbit and surface operations.
The Space Technology Development Program funds technology innovation in parallel to priorities for the Canadian Space Agency, such as robotics and telecommunications.
Canadian tech from private company Canadensys has already made it to the lunar surface on the recent successful Intuitive Machines Odysseus lander, the first commercial space mission to soft land on the Moon.
Canada provided a $5 million thermal plasma analyzer for the 1998 Japanese Nozomi spacecraft to Mars, the first interplanetary mission with Canadian tech on board. There was also Canadian hardware on the Phoenix Mars lander and the Osiris-Rex asteroid sample return mission.
Canada’s contributions to the Artemis program don’t end with Jeremy Hansen’s flight. Building on the tremendous success of Canadarm and Canadarm 2, Canada is building Canadarm 3 for NASA’s Lunar Gateway platform. This will be a space station that will orbit the Moon and serve as a way-station for visiting astronauts, and Canadian robotics will be an integral part of the mission.
However not all recent Canadian space news is positive.
The closing of the David Florida Laboratory in Ottawa has shuttered a decades-old resource used by numerous private companies and raised concerns about Canada’s ability to fund Canada’s growing contributions to international exploration agreements. The facility is one of Canada’s most advanced satellite testing and assembly facilities and its closure will result in dozens of job losses.
Some believe this reflects the rise of private industry and the decreasing need for government facilities and investments in space, while others see it as a sad sign of Canada’s continued lack of investment in space exploration.
An image of the Thermal Vacuum Testing facilities at the CSA’s David Florida Laboratory, scheduled to close in March 2025. Source: Canadian Space Agency
The closure has marred what has otherwise been a positive upward swing for Canadian space exploration in recent years. It harkens back to older European concerns about Canada overexerting their limited resources, capping their potential and slowing their progress. The reality is that Canada’s 2022-2023 space budget is just $329 million dollars, a fraction of the several billions that the US, China, and the European Space Agency spend on space.
The Canadian Global Affairs Institute has been highly critical of the Canadian government's space policy. Their 2022 report found that “Canada has an incomplete collection of civil, commercial and defense space policies, strategies and initiatives, exposing serious gaps and seams in policy and planning,” (CGAI).
They conclude that “Canada is known today for excellence in certain space-based technologies while new niche competencies may be realized when the Canadian space enterprise, consisting of civil, commercial and national security activities, is finally harmonized,” (CGAI).
A January 2024 report from Deloitte Canada highlighted the ups and downs of the Canadian space ecosystem. They note that despite being the third spacefaring nation, Canada has “fallen behind” more ambitious space powers and currently comprises just 1% of the global space economy (“Reaching Beyond pg. 11).
Yet they are optimistic that Canada does possess the tools to regain their position. The report highlighted upstream and downstream opportunities for the Canadian space industry, particularly in satellite manufacturing and operation (“Reaching Beyond” Pgs. 9-10). Priority areas include strengthening governance, updating relevant Canadian laws, improved funding, streamlining procurement, expanding collaborations, and increasing access to data (“Reaching Beyond” Pgs. 12-15).
It is clear that Canadian space exploration has made the most of the sometimes limited resources available and has positive momentum in key areas. A growing space economy, an exceptional astronaut corps, globally-leading competence in mission critical areas, and robust international partnerships are all the hallmarks of a robust space power.
Canada: Rising Space Power
Canada was the third nation to officially join the Space Age and the nation has slowly but surely built up an advanced space program firmly integrated into the world’s most complex and impactful space missions.
From global leadership in space-based robotics to an astronaut corps with cultural cache and eyes on the Moon, it’s no wonder Canada continues making headlines as humanity races back to the Moon and beyond. The world had better prepare to hear “Oh Canada!” from the lunar surface sooner rather than later.
Patrick Chase is a space writer, political junkie, and lifelong space enthusiast.
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