Microgravity Research in the Canadian Space Agency

Abstract

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has a strong history of supporting microgravity research in space. Canada is an International Space Station (ISS) Partner and has played a key role in construction of the ISS, through provision and operation of the ISS robotic arm. The CSA also plans to contribute to microgravity research onboard ISS, through the support of Canadian scientists and the development of microgravity payloads. The CSA is particularly committed to manifesting payloads on ISS that allow scientists to address fundamental questions and problems that also have important application to human society. With regard to the development of facilities for microgravity research, the CSA is currently identifying and assessing gaps in the capabilities of extant, manifested, and planned facilities of the other ISS partners. In order to avoid duplication of effort, CSA development of facilities for ISS will only occur if significant gaps in capability are identified that are linked to important microgravity research endeavors. The CSA is also developing a program of ISS utilization that includes regular solicitation of the best scientific proposals from the Canadian microgravity research community, with focus on the fields of material science, fluid dynamics, combustion, and biotechnology. Payload development and manifesting will then allow Canadian scientists to regularly utilize the ISS. The Canadian microgravity research community is also supported by regular announcements of opportunity that give Canadian scientists the opportunity to test new ideas and concepts for microgravity research, for example by using microgravity analog systems.