The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) was established on March 1, 1989 by the Canadian Space Agency Act passed by the Parliament of Canada. This Act sets out the mandate, functions and powers of the CSA.
The mandate of the CSA, as defined in the Act, is 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 Act states the CSA will achieve this mandate by:
- Assisting the Minister to coordinate the space policies and programs of the Government of Canada
- Planning, directing, managing and implementing programs and projects relating to scientific or industrial space research and development and the application of space technology
- Promoting the transfer and diffusion of space technology to and throughout Canadian industry
- Encouraging commercial exploitation of space capabilities, technology, facilities and systems
- Performing such other functions as the Governor in Council may assign
The Act also gives the CSA the power to construct and operate space research facilities, provide services to any person, enter into contracts and agreements, and license intellectual property, among other powers needed to carry out its mandate.
The CSA reports to Parliament through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. The President of the CSA is appointed by the Governor in Council and serves as the chief executive officer, responsible for managing the CSA under the direction of the Minister.
History and Evolution
Prior to the creation of the CSA, Canada was already a pioneer in space technology, having launched the Alouette 1 satellite in 1962, becoming the third country to design and build its own satellite. The CSA was created from divisions of several existing government departments and agencies, including the Ministry of State for Science and Technology, the National Research Council, the Department of Communications and the Department of Energy, Mines and Resources.
Over the decades since its founding, the CSA has evolved Canada’s space program in collaboration with industry, academia, and international partners. It has shifted from its early focus on developing pioneering technologies like the Canadarm to a broader role that encompasses science, technology development, commercial support, and space exploration in alignment with government priorities.
Key milestones include:
- The development of the Canadarm and Canadarm2 robotic arms for the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs in partnership with NASA
- Astronaut missions, starting with Roberta Bondar in 1992 up to current plans to send an astronaut on the Artemis II mission around the Moon
- The RADARSAT series of Earth observation satellites providing data for environmental monitoring, resource management and security
- Increased support for commercialization of space technologies and growth of the Canadian space industry
- Renewed focus on space exploration including a planned Canadarm3 robotic arm for the NASA-led Lunar Gateway and a lunar rover
In 2019, the government released a new space strategy titled Exploration, Imagination, Innovation: A New Space Strategy for Canada. It positioned space as a strategic national asset and identified priority areas of space science and exploration, space industry growth, development of next-generation talent, and advancing international partnerships.
Supporting the Canadian Space Industry
A key part of the CSA’s mandate is encouraging the commercial development of space capabilities and supporting the growth of Canada’s space industry. The CSA provides funding for space companies to develop new technologies through programs like the Space Technology Development Program (STDP). From 2015-2021, the STDP invested over $64 million to help build the space industry in Canada.
In the 2019 space strategy, the government committed to initiatives to help space companies start up and scale up, including:
- The Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP), providing $150 million over 5 years to develop technologies linked to the Lunar Gateway
- Renewing the partnership with the European Space Agency to 2030 to connect Canadian companies to European space supply chains
- Supporting business-to-business partnerships to showcase Canadian capabilities globally
The CSA also administers the RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) data policy to facilitate Canadian industry’s access to satellite data in order to develop new applications and services. Overall, the space sector contributed $2.3 billion to Canada’s GDP and employed almost 10,000 people as of 2019.
Inspiring and Developing Talent
Another priority for the CSA is engaging youth and building the next-generation talent pipeline for space. The CSA aims to “inspire young people to develop the required skills and to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and math.”
Initiatives include:
- The Junior Astronauts campaign to engage youth in space activities and promote STEM
- Providing students with hands-on experience through the CubeSat project and other student programs
- Post-secondary research opportunities such as the Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) program
- Astronaut missions and training activities to inspire interest in space
The CSA has a target of reaching over 130,000 youth in 2024-25 through its educational programming. However, the space sector workforce remains predominantly male (71% as of 2020-21) and groups such as women, Indigenous people, visible minorities and persons with disabilities are under-represented in STEM fields, indicating a need for continued efforts on diversity and inclusion.
Advancing Space Science and Exploration
The CSA’s space science and exploration activities aim to advance knowledge of space, our solar system and the universe while developing new technologies and capabilities.
Current and planned initiatives include:
- Contributing Canadarm3, a highly autonomous robotic system, to the NASA-led Lunar Gateway to support future Moon missions and Mars exploration
- Securing opportunities for lunar science, technology demonstration and commercial activities through the Gateway partnership
- Preparing a Canadian astronaut to fly around the Moon on Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972
- Ongoing astronaut missions on the International Space Station conducting health research and technology development
- Providing Canadian instruments and technologies to international astronomy and planetary exploration missions
The CSA collaborates extensively with international space agencies, most significantly NASA but also the European Space Agency, to leverage Canadian capabilities and extend the reach of its space science and exploration activities. Canada’s astronaut program and robotic technologies have been key contributions to these international partnerships.
Enabling Benefits on Earth
While advancing science and technology in space, the CSA also aims to maximize the socio-economic benefits and applications of space capabilities to improve life on Earth. The 2019 space strategy emphasizes the importance of harnessing space to solve everyday challenges for Canadians.
One major area is Earth observation, where the CSA operates satellite missions to collect data on the environment, climate change, disasters and security. The RADARSAT Constellation Mission and other upcoming missions will strengthen these capabilities to support evidence-based decision-making on land use, coastal monitoring, ecosystem protection, disaster response and more.
Space health research to enable long-duration spaceflight is also expected to generate medical innovations relevant to providing healthcare in remote communities on Earth. Other areas where space activities provide tangible Earth benefits include weather forecasting, navigation, communications and resource management.
The CSA’s funding programs also support companies to develop and commercialize space technologies that can be applied to meet needs on Earth in areas like healthcare, agriculture, environmental monitoring and more.
Summary
Over its more than 30-year history, the Canadian Space Agency has significantly advanced Canada’s space capabilities and international leadership in space robotics, satellite communications, Earth observation, space science and human spaceflight. Through the authorities granted by the Canadian Space Agency Act, the CSA continues to evolve Canada’s space program to drive economic growth, scientific progress, and benefits for Canadians. With ambitious new initiatives in space exploration, industry support and youth engagement, the CSA is working to ensure Canada remains a leading spacefaring nation in the years to come.