Control of Flexible Spacecraft

Instrument pointing control systems mounted on spacecraft are inherently bandwidth-limited due to lightly-damped flexible modes of the spacecraft. This talk is concerned with the recovery of control bandwidth for space-based pointing systems via the application of mu-tip control. This talk will first review the equations of motion of a flexible spacecraft. Next, using a "massive payload assumption" a passive input-output map is established between a modified output, called the mu-tip rate, and a modified control input. This introduction of the mu-tip rate and modified control input enables the use of passivity-based control, which in turn realized robust closed-loop control to mass and stiffness uncertainty. Bandwidth recovery is confirmed by investigating the frequency response of the linearized system.

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Short Biography

James Richard Forbes is an Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering at McGill University. James is also a member of the Centre for Intelligent Machines. His research focuses on estimation and control of robotic and aerospace systems. James is a member of the AIAA and IEEE.

Un laboratoire dans l’espace : Une introduction aux étoiles naines blanches

For my thesis, I produced a catalog of the nearest white dwarf stars and their physical properties. To obtain such a catalog is not an easy task: it requires years of planning and observations using observatories across the continent, as well as meticulous image processing and data analysis with state-of-the-art models. In this presentation, we discover what are those stellar remnants that we call white dwarfs, what they can teach us about astronomy and physics and why finding them represents such a challenge.

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Short Biography

Marie-Michèle Limoges obtained her Ph.D in stellar astrophysics from the Université de Montréal in 2014. Since then, she specializes in science communication for the Cosmodôme, where she is in charge of educational programs, museology and public outreach.

High-Contrast Imaging Balloon System (HiCIBaS)

The High-Contrast Imaging Balloon System (HiCIBaS) is a first-generation balloon-borne telescope project that has four objectives: develop and test a custom low-order wavefront sensor (LOWFS), measure and gather data on wavefront instabilities and errors at high altitudes in the visible spectrum, develop and test a sub-milli- arcsecond pointing system, and give high-altitude flight heritage to the LOWFS, deformable mirror (developed by Iris AO) and EMCCD cameras (provided by Nüvü Cameras). It is being developed by Université Laval, along with numerous collaborators, and will be launched under the CSA’s STRATOS program in August of 2018 from Timmins, Ontario. The “big picture” goal of this project is to characterize the atmosphere and validate the instruments, techniques and concepts used so that they can be employed for future exoplanet-studying missions.

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Short Biography

Deven is pursuing a Master’s degree in Physics from Université Laval and is a graduate from Concordia University in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in Aerospace and Propulsion. During his time at Concordia, Deven completed internships at Bombardier Aerospace and CAE and largely worked on the validation and verification processes of, both, the C-Series aircraft family and CAE simulators. Deven was also a member of Space Concordia for two years: he was a member of the Rocketry division, co-led the society’s first-ever high-altitude balloon project, and assumed the role of VP of Special Projects.

Before Scientists, Space needs Social Scientists!

In the past, the pace of development on Earth and now increasingly in the outer space is beyond comprehension and introspection of the collective global human society. Recently, as we entered the epoch of Anthropocene we have learnt, that over the time the humankind in itself has become a collective geophysical force acting against the nature resulting into crossing of crucial tipping points, endangering its survival on the only habitable planet, Earth.
As we venture out into outer space, with feasible plans of resource mining, terraforming and space colonization, fundamental questions arise, pertaining to what kind of precedents do we set for the future. Do we rely and act on the same socio-political paradigm of the Earth, where race for resources led to colonization, industrial revolution followed by globalization to surface an unjust, unequal and most importantly, environmentally unsustainable global society. Or do we re-think the whole socio-political and developmental paradigm, thinking profoundly for the first time a non-anthropocentric value system giving intrinsic value to the nature and the cosmos.
Against this backdrop, I challenge the “human as dominant specie” value system and argue (in light of space exploration and exploitation) a crucial reset of socio-political, developmental and environmental paradigm to make a case for “Before Scientists, Space needs Social Scientists”.

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Short Biography

Bayar Goswami is a Doctoral student at the Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University (IASL). He finished his LL.M. in Air and Space Law from the IASL where he wrote a thesis titled “Theorizing Cosmic Environmental Law” involving Cosmology, Environmental Ethics, the Anthropocene epoch vis-à-vis the International Environmental Law and Space Law. He is a recipient of the Erin J.C. Arsenault Fellowship awarded by McGill University for both his LL.M. and DCL and additionally was also awarded the Assad Kotaite Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded by the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization. He has worked as an Indian delegate to represent India’s legal position at the 39th Triennial Assembly Session of the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization held in October, 2016. Further, he is involved as a Research Assistant in important research projects undertaken at the IASL, like the International Study on Global Space Governance, Manual on International Law Applicable to Military Uses of Outer Space and the Space Security Index, 2016 & 2017 (SSI). He is passionate about advocating Space Environmentalism and triggering dialogues which challenge the developmental paradigm, particularly at the onset of modern space age. Recently, he gave a TEDx Talk on Space Environmentalism in February, 2017 and is keen on interactive platforms to engage in conversations involving social sciences of the outer space.
While not researching about Space Law, Bayar loves playing and collecting percussion instruments. Random curiosity and questions on Space Law thrill him for which he can be contacted anytime at bayar. goswami@mail.mcgill.ca or be contacted in person at Institute of Air and Space Law, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

A New Vision: The Future of the ISS

The International Space Station (ISS) is an enormous achievement in terms of international collaboration and engineering. The assembly took more than 12 years, starting in 1998, and the station was gradually expanded with habitats, research facilities, life support systems, and other infrastructures that were built all around the world. The ISS Program is set to end in 2024, yet still has the potential to keep working through 2028 and beyond. The international partners must decide if they want to continue the program and establish a new vision. This discussion proposes an extension of life meant to inspire the next generations, develop innovative technologies, and enable ground-breaking research for humankind. To achieve these goals, we assumed a future where the economic and technological trends that we are seeing today keep unfolding. With this assumption in mind, we proposed to split the ISS into two independent space stations, and repurpose them respectively into an International Research Facility and an International Spaceport. The International Research Facility will take over the research activities of the ISS, and create new research opportunities thanks to additional modules. In the future, the International Research Facility will be equipped with training facilities for the next generation of space explorers. The International Spaceport will provide docking ports and manufacturing facilities to assemble, service, repair, and refuel spacecraft for missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. The technological aspects of this endeavor, the political requirements, and the financial viability were examined. While our research was specifically focused in finding an alternative to decommissioning the ISS, the question of whether de-orbiting is the best solution to the end of life of the ISS still remains. We believe that there are other options, and that keeping a permanent human presence in orbit is of paramount importance. The end of the ISS would likely represent a major setback to human space exploration and international collaboration. With a large variety of valid alternatives to decommissioning, we hope this topic will inspire decision makers to move towards a better future for the ISS.

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Short Biography

Lisa Drudi has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science from McGill University and is a graduate from Concordia University in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Manufacturing and Design Engineering. Lisa is also a recent graduate from the International Space University Summer Space Program in Cork, Ireland. Lisa completed internships both at Pratt & Whitney Canada and Lockheed Martin Canada throughout her engineering studies, which has given her an extensive background in the aerospace industry. For the past three years, she has been a member of the student society Space Concordia where she participated in both Spacecraft and High Altitude Balloon divisions as manufacturing lead.

Montréal à la conquête de l'espace

Présentation de la place tenue par Montréal dans le secteur spatial et qui a positionné le Canada comme un joueur stratégique de ce secteur sur l’échiquier Mondial.

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Short Biography

I am an enthusiastic, highly qualified Marketing Communication professional with excellent understanding of high-technology environments, used to working across different countries. I have 10 years of experience within Software & IT Services B2B & B2C marketing and communication functions. I enjoy developing new ways to attract new customers and delight existing ones. I believe that success, whether personal or that of the organisation, comes from perseverance and cooperation with others. I embrace change and am stimulated by continuous learning.

The Maple Leaf Throughout the Solar System: An Overview of Canada's Planetary Exploration Program

The Canadian Space Agency’s (CSA) planetary exploration program involves participation in a variety of ongoing missions and a series of preparatory activities for those yet to come. CSA’s planetary science goals follow two broad themes: (i) understanding the origin and evolution of the solar system, and (ii) habitability and life detection.
Two Canadian scientific instruments are currently in operation: the Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) aboard the Mars Science Laboratory’s (MSL) Curiosity Rover, and the OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA), presently cruising towards asteroid Bennu. Additionally, Canadian scientists are contributing expertise via Participating Scientist / Co-Investigator roles on MSL, NASA’s Mars InSight, and the ESA/Roscosmos ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO).
Moving forward, agencies throughout the world are evaluating how to return samples from Mars, are considering a return to the Moon, and are developing mission concepts to explore the moons of the outer planets for possible signs of life. Canada continues to work with its international partners to identify possibilities to make important contributions to these efforts.

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Short Biography

Tim Haltigin holds PhD and MSc degrees from McGill University and a BSc from Concordia University. Tim joined the Canadian Space Agency in 2010, where he helps coordinate Canada’s science contributions to exploration missions in the solar system. He is currently the Canadian mission manager and CSA Project Scientist for the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission.

The Permissibility of Exploiting Celestial Bodies' Wealth: A Space Law Perspective

One of the goals of space law is to secure the use of outer space for the advancement of humankind. At the same time, technological developments towards space mining reveal that such endeavor can only be realized with the active participation of the private sector that would inevitably require either the a priori permissibility of commercial exploitation of space resources, or the a posteriori acceptance of it. However, one controversial question arises: How would it be possible to continue securing the use of outer space towards the advancement of humankind when the commercialization of substantive parts of the latter seems legally blocked due to the very nature of space law that prohibits appropriation of outer space parts. Such a question is directly linked to the issue of whether the time for New Laws as envisioned by New Space activities has arrived. This paper attempts to present the current legal framework that surrounds the exploitation of celestial bodies' natural resources and answer the afforementioned question on the basis of benefit-sharing mechanisms. Specifically, it asks whether benefit-sharing agreements would legitimize the exploitation/commercialization of space natural resources, and if so, how would this be legally feasible.

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Short Biography

Maria Manoli is a doctoral student at the McGill Institute of Air and Space Law (IASL), where she is also an Erin J. C. Arsenault doctoral fellow in Space Governance, an R. E. Morrow fellow and a N. M. Matte fellow. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Laws from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, two LL.M.s from the same University, in Civil Law and in Public International Law respectively, and a LL.M. from the IASL, during which she was also an Erin J. C. Arsenault Master’s fellow in Space Governance. Maria is a registered lawyer at the Athens Bar Association, Greece, and has previously interned as a junior project manager at Secure World Foundation, clerked for the Athens Court of Appeals Prosecutor’s Office, and been a trainee lawyer for the Council of State (Greece), and the Hellenic Competition Commission. Maria is also a research assistant for the IASL and has coached the McGill IASL space law moot court team for its participation in the M. Lachs Moot Court Competition for three years. She has often been judge for the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition and delivered a number of university lectures as well as dozens of presentations to conferences and workshops around the world. During the summer 2017 she was a participant in the 2017 Centre of the Hague Academy of International Law.

Smallsat Constellations: Disruptive Changes Along the Value Chain

The space sector is currently undergoing one the most dynamic periods of all times. Over the last years new commercial actors have emerged introducing innovative concepts from manufacturing to services, largely based on low-cost smallsat constellations. They have the value proposition of bringing the cost down of solutions, making space more affordable and accessible to end-users. With disruptive changes in the market and technological environment, the commercial space sector faces now unique challenges but also tremendous opportunities introduced by these new actors.
The proposed presentation will provide an overview of the smallsat market. This will include an overview of the number of satellites launched, main programs, applications targeted by these new solutions (e.g.: global connectivity (Satcom), high-frequency change detection (Earth Observation)), as well as what are the disrupting changes that these new smallsat solutions are introducing across the value chain.

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Short Biography

Natalia Larrea Brito is a Consultant of Euroconsult since 2016 based in Montreal. She supports consulting activities and research reports focusing on Earth observation and satellite communications.
Prior to joining Euroconsult, Natalia worked as a systems engineer at MDA Corporation in Montreal. She specialized in the design of satellite payloads based on current and future technologies supporting the Business Development Proposal team. In addition, she has worked at the European Space Agency (ESA) within the Herschel Space Observatory mission. Her research at ESA focused on the development of analytical methods to generate galaxy catalogs from photometric observations. Natalia has also worked at NASA Ames as part of the NASA Academy program. There, she worked on a new mission concept for Mars exploration and participated in the design of a space bioreactor to conduct biological experiments on-board the International Space Station.
Natalia holds a Master in Aerospace Engineering from McGill University, a Bachelor and Master in Telecommunications Engineering from Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio (Madrid, Spain) and a Diploma in Astronomy and Planetary Science from the Open University UK. She is also a graduate of the International Space University (ISU) Space Studies Program. During her studies she has covered applications focusing on space engineering, technologies and utilization of space-based assets. She has won several academic awards, including the Satellite Society Professionals International (SSPI) scholarship award.
Born in Madrid (Spain) she enjoys travelling, cooking tapas, wine, and live music. She is also a firm supporter of education, getting involved in her spare time in different activities to engage future generations into the space field.

Intro to Spacecraft Antenna Design, Assembly & test

He could present an intro to spacecraft antenna design, assembly & test.
He has presented this at McGill multiple times as a guest lecturer for Prof. L. Lessard.

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Short Biography

He is a specialist engineer at MDA in St Anne de Bellevue.

The Space Elevator

Since the first man-made satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched in 1957, mankind's presence in space has grown. However, our capacity to utilize space is very limited due to our singular method of space travel: rockets. Some decades from now a more sustainable and elegant transit system to space, known as a Space Elevator, may be established. The scope of such a project is immense and requires a tremendous amount of research and planning. This talk will describe the space elevator, explore some of its challenges, and focus on research that is currently underway.

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Short Biography

Stephen Cohen earned his Bachelor’s (2004) and Master’s (2006) Degrees in Mechanical Engineering at McGill University. His thesis describes the dynamics of a space elevator, and he has published several scientific papers on the topic. He worked at MDA Space as a Structural Engineer, where he helped to design space antenna payloads to survive the rigours of space launch and the orbital environment. His enthusiasm for science and teaching as well as his passion for writing and public speaking led him to modify the direction of his career. In 2010, he began working as a Physics Teacher at Vanier College.

Sensible International Regulations - How to Make Sure the Laws of Man Are Not More Insurmountable Than the Laws of Gravity

How do we prepare the wonderful world of international aviation regulation for the boring world of sub-orbital, hyper-sonic, high-altitude vehicles? The presentation will provide some perspectives of how we should have 21st century framework for 21st century operations using 21st century technology.

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Short Biography

Aeronautical Engineer working in ICAO since 1998, involved in Multidisciplinary Priorities - Commercial Space, Artificial Intelligence for example

How to Grow Black Holes and Neutron Stars

Black holes, neutron stars, and other compact objects grow via merger and accretion. Hot gas and energetic jets offer a vital electromagnetic view of these otherwise dark objects, and new discoveries of gravitational waves emitted during their mergers are rapidly ushering in the era of multi-messenger astrophysics. I'll discuss some of the cool things we know about these exotic objects, the telescopes and experiments that allow us to tease out their secrets, and a few of the open questions that will guide future inquiries.

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Short Biography

I am an Assistant Professor of Physics at McGill University in the McGill Space Institute. I study active galactic nuclei (accreting supermassive black holes) and their host galaxies, the Galactic center and Sgr A*, and accretion-driven ouflows using multi-wavelength and time domain surveys.

Down to Earth Space Engineering

An important aspect of national space programs is their ability to provide technological spin-offs that will benefit human earthly pursuits. Neptec will present two current projects that illustrate the potential Space technology has for benefiting humanity in a very direct way.
Through a 13 year development program undertaken in collaboration with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Neptec has developed a substantial expertise in laser-based machine vision. The latest iteration of this LiDAR work, the mini-LiDAR or mLDR, is of a size that supports integration to autonomous vehicles, specifically cars. This miniature sensor will help accelerate what is an already very fast moving technology for self-driving cars. In 2013, Neptec led an industry-academia consortium in the definition of an astronaut healthcare concept for exploration class missions. The CSA called the concept the Advanced Crew Medical System (ACMS). Since 2013, Neptec and its partners have pursued the development of the ACMS through work for the CSA and ESA (European Space Agency) as well as healthcare institutions such as St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation in Montreal. The terrestrial version of the ACMS, called the Autonomous Medical System (AMS), offers the potential to revolutionize healthcare in the 21st century by:

• Solving the access to primary care problem in the First World;
• Solving the shortage of primary care in the Third World; and
• Making First World healthcare affordable and sustainable for Whole World

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Short Biography

Michael Khor is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering at Concordia University, he has worked on nanosatellites (3U Cubesats) during his undergraduate years which has lead him to working in the space industry. Currently, he is working at Neptec Design Group as a Mechanical Engineer, designing, analysing and testing spaceflight hardware. Michael is working on flight programs such as Orbital ATK’s Commercial Resupply missions to the International Space Station and the European Space Agency’s Proba 3, a precise formation flying demonstration mission. Other activities include research and development of next generation LiDARs.

The Engineer Development Program of the Canadian Space Agency

The Canadian Space Agency has an an Engineer Development Program hiring young engineers and young Ph. D.s and training them for two years to turn them into seasoned space engineers. Following the training program, these engineers are assigned to various sectors of the Canadian Space Agency. This presentation will introduce the corporate structure of the Canadian Space Agency, the recruitment process of the Engineer Development Program, and how to prepare oneself to compete in those recruitment processes.

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The Needed Development in Materials for Future Space Programs

As space agencies move towards exploring planets, new materials and new ways to use materials are needed in order to meet the requirements of these future space missions. This presentation covers the current use of composite materials in space programs, the current development being done at the Canadian Space Agency in collaboration with academia, and the future developments being required.

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Short Biography

Dr. Potvin is the Manager of the Engineer Development Program of the Canadian Space Agency. Through this program, 4 young engineers are hired every year and turned into seasoned space engineers through a thorough 2 year training program. Dr. Potvin manages also several projects aimed at positioning both Canadian industries and academia in the space technology field, namely for composite materials.

The Case for a Terran Space Agency

Humanity today faces a grave number of space-based threats, both cosmological and anthropological: some threaten our way of life while others threaten our very lives. Surmounting these perils will require the concentrated and coordinated effort of all States, channelled towards the betterment of humanity. The manner in which we have attempted to address these threats to-date has been stifled by the isolationist structure of national space agencies and the inability to overcome longstanding political and legal obstacles. This presentation will investigate whether the creation of a global, international Terran Space Agency (tasked with solving six particular projects to safeguard human existence and improve the human condition) can be a method by which to overcome the legal barriers currently impeding progress. In particular, it will examine the value of a Terran Space Agency on the basis of whether it honours the equitable foundations of international space law.
This presentation will use as examples six current global space issues and demonstrate that the present shortcomings in solving these challenges are neither technological nor motivational but, in fact, legal and political. It will then investigate whether a Terran Space Agency (TESA) could provide a solution, within the existing legal framework, through which to address and solve the current problems. The significant challenges include: 1) remediating space debris; 2) undertaking space situational awareness and space traffic management; 3) preparing for and administering planetary protection; 4) exploiting the vast resources of outer space; 5) exploring and settling diverse planetary systems; and 6) searching for, understanding and communicating with extraterrestrial life forms. The presentation will use these examples to investigate whether a new international organization can tackle these and future issues appropriately.

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Short Biography

Aram Daniel Kerkonian is currently a DCL candidate at the Institute of Air and Space Law at McGill University. Aram works as a Research Assistant to the IASL and, in this capacity, has drafted space-related policy reports for the Government of Canada, edited book chapters on both air and space law and organized conferences in collaboration with the United Nations. Aram is also appointed as the IASL’s representative to the US Federal Aviation Administration’s Center for Excellence on Commercial Space Transportation. Aram holds a BA(H) from Queen’s University and a JD from the University of Windsor. Aram is called to the Bar of Ontario and completed his articles as a judicial law clerk to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.

A Student-Directed Approach to Introductory Astronomy

Students at the post-secondary level enter Introductory Astronomy courses with varied backgrounds, from no prior exposure (aside from Primary and Secondary curriculum) or backyard astronomers to budding Astrophysicists and Aerospace Engineers. The role of these courses is to share basic information, skills and possibilities (scientifically and career-wise), so that students who have an affinity for space sciences have a starting point to leap onto a career path. Traditional approaches use a historical evolution of information with relatively static learning outcomes. In the digital and social media age, most students have some exposure to recent discoveries, and more importantly they have access to information and current data that better represents the direction of space science they will experience. I will describe a novel approach that puts the direction and depth of the content covered into the students' control.

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Public Outreach and Cegep Partnerships

RASC-Montreal Centre holds member and public events throughout the year, mostly at their Observatory in Morgan Arboretum, but also at affiliate locations throughout the Greater Montreal area. Their Outreach events encourage public interest and knowledge in Astronomy. Over the last two decades, RASC-Montreal Centre has developed partnerships with two local Cegeps, John Abbott College and Vanier College. We will discuss some of the collaborative initiatives and public outreach events that have also enhanced the co-curricular opportunities available to students at both colleges, most recently evidenced by the fantastic Solar Eclipse Viewing events held at both campus on Aug 21st.

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Short Biography

I have been at John Abbott College (JAC) since 2006, teaching a variety of Physics and Pathways courses, and began teaching the Introductory Astronomy course in 2016. I am an active researcher in Physics & Science Education, having served on several provincial projects in Math & Science education across the Secondary, Cegep and University levels. I have also taught in Physics, Mathematics, Education and Exercise Science at Bishop’s University, in Physics at Carleton University and at Marianopolis College. I am an active member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) - Montreal Centre.

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About the RASC

Founded in 1918, the Montreal Centre is part of a Canada-wide network of 29 Centres affiliated under the banner of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
Our members are hobbyists from all walks of life. Some members look at the sky through telescopes, others through binoculars, or with the unaided eye. Still others are armchair astronomers who don’t observe at all. What they do have in common, though, is an interest in astronomy.

Tool Integration to Facilitate and Accelerate Spacecraft Design

The design of any complex system requires the use of a multitude of specialized tools in parallel while having to maintain an overall conflict-free and consistent design. This is a difficult requirement that can be very time consuming. One solution is to integrate the various tools such that there is only one master source for each piece of information. We demonstrate this approach for the particular problem of spacecraft design where the following tools are integrated: Satellite ToolKit from AGI (for orbital mechanics, etc). , NX (for Mechanical design) and Modelica as the main workhorse for all the dynamics.

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Short Biography

Chahé Adourian is a Software and Simulation Architect in the Engineering Development group in the Space Technologies Directorate at the Canadian Space Agency. He obtained his degree in Joint Honours Mathematics and Physics from McGill University in 1998, holds a Diploma in Computer Science and has completed a Master’s degree in Computer Science in the area of collaborative design at McGill;
He has been working at the Canadian Space Agency for almost 20 years mainly conducting simulator development and verification work in various programs. His current research interests are satellite simulation, collaborative environments for design and simulation based design.

Seeing Gravity and the (Invisible) Universe with Pulsars

Albert Einstein's greatest achievement is the general theory of relativity -- the modern view of gravitation -- and the confirmed predictions that arise from it. Such predictions include time warps, the bending of light, and black holes! The most elusive and intriguing prediction, however, is the existence of gravitational waves (GWs), which are periodic ripples of space and time. Until last year, we could only "see" gravitational waves indirectly by observing the decaying orbits of "radio pulsars", which are the remnant corpses of supernova explosions.
The era of GW astronomy has finally begun, with last year's announcement of a direct GW detection using the ground-based LIGO instrument. Various instruments are now being built to observe these waves, from the ground and in space. I will talk about how radio pulsars serve as a natural GW "detector", and will be crucial for observing GWs from the inspiral of supermassive black holes in the distant Universe.

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Short Biography

I work as a pulsar astronomer in the McGill Space Institute, and I am a member of the CHIME and NANOGrav collaborations. I obtained a Ph. D. in astronomy at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC, and hail from Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Capability Demonstration - CSA Program for Increasing Space Readiness of Space Science and Technology While Training the Next Generation - Focus on Sub-Orbital Activities

Canada has a strong national strategic interest in space. Space will be used as a way to drive a broader economic growth and leveraged for the benefits of Canadians. Canada’s future in space relies on innovation, advancement of science and technology, and future generation of highly educated and skilled space scientists and engineers. A strong Canadian space capability demonstration program is needed for maintaining Canada’s leading edge in space and developing new capabilities for the future. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA), in response to the needs expressed by Canadian space industry, academia, and the government, and to better prepare Canada to capture future mission and commercial opportunities, is in the process of developing a capability demonstration program, which includes both pre-space demonstration and space demonstration. Demonstration in space on board a satellite or a space platform (e.g. ISS) is the most desirable method to demonstrate new technology, scientific approach or capability. However, there are only a limited number of opportunities for space demonstration flights and the associated cost is usually high. Suborbital platforms, such as balloons and rockets, remain popular for the academia and industry engaging in space science and engineering to test their hardware and approaches as they provide near-space environments with low cost and easy access. Suborbital platforms are also often used to conduct science in Canada’s priority areas such as study of climate changes and validation of satellite data (ex. atmospheric data).
This paper discusses the needs for a capability demonstration program and its overall objectives, and provides greater details on demonstration activities using suborbital platforms, including on-going stratospheric balloon flights, parabolic flights, and possible rocket flights in the future for Canada.

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Short Biography

Steeve Montminy received a Master degree in Mechanical engineering from l’École de Technologie Supérieure, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. He has been with the Canadian Space Agency for 15 years. Steeve’s current position is Manager, Suborbital Demonstration and Project Manager on the STRATOS program at CSA.

The Rise of Competitive Student Rocket Engineering in Canada

In the past few years, Canadian rocketry teams have been gaining prominence on the world stage. They have achieved this not only by winning numerous awards, but also by their high degree of technical skill and engineering ambition on display in their work. The lecture will go into the speaker's own experience on one of these teams, it will cover the overall impact that these teams have had and it will go into the future of student and amateur rocketry in Canada.

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Short Biography

I am a mechanical engineering graduate from Concordia University. I have previously had experience as the Space Concordia Rocketry Division Chief Rocket Designer and as Space Concordia's President. I am currently working in the Aerodynamics department at CAE Inc.

Astrophotographic Adventures From Your Backyard

Learn how easy it is to capture spectacular images of the night sky from the comfort of your own backyard. This talk will cover the equipment needed, from beginner to advanced, as well as the post-processing techniques used in creating these images. The talk will also discuss some of the physics of light and how it relates to astrophotography.

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Short Biography

Richard Hum is a Applied Mathematics graduate from Queen's University, currently pursuing his M.Eng in Electrical Engineering at McGill University. He is an avid photographer with a passion for peering into the cosmos.

La recherche d'exoplanètes dans notre voisinage avec SPIRou et NIRPS

Malgré les avancées spectaculaires dans l'étude des exoplanètes, nous n'avons toujours pas réussi à prendre une image d'une planète comparable à la Terre autour d'une autre étoile que le Soleil. Ce défi reste hors de portée de la technologie actuelle, mais on prévoit que les grands observatoires qui seront déployés sur l'horizon 2025-2035 (E-ELT, TMT, LUVOIR) seront en mesure de relever ce défi. L'équipe de l'institut de recherche sur les exoplanètes mène deux projets d’instruments, SPIRou et NIRPS, qui seront installés en 2018-2019 à deux grands observatoires au sol (TCFH et ESO la Silla), et permettront de détecter indirectement ces planètes afin de déterminer lesquelles pourront être imagées dans une dizaine d’années.

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Short Biography

Après une thèse en instrumentation astronomique à l'UdeM, j'ai travaillé pendant 3 ans à l'Observatoire Gemini sud, situé au Chili. Je suis revenu à l'UdeM e 2009 et je suis maintenant chercheur au sein de l'institut de recherche sur les exoplanètes de l'Université de Montréal. Mes intérêts scientifiques portent sur les naines brunes et les exoplanètes. Je suis responsable scientifique de deux instruments, SPIRou et NIRPS, qui permettront de découvrir des planètes autour des planètes autour des naines rouges du voisinage solaire.

Sustainability of Outer Space: An Uncertain Outlook

As we mark six decades of space operations, the number of objects in Earth orbit continues to rise, reaching well over 20,000 tracked objects. A much larger number of objects, estimated to be several hundred thousand, too small to be tracked, also clutter the space environment. The objects are an accumulation of active and inactive satellites, rocket bodies and debris associated with launches, satellite failures and ASAT testing. Increased commercialization of space is resulting in ever-greater numbers of satellites orbited every year. The recent plans for mega-constellations of several thousand satellites are an alarming development. Technology is enabling greater utilization of space, but there is no international regulatory mechanism to mange the environment. The UNCOPUOS space debris mitigation guidelines are non-binding leading to insufficient compliance. Unless trends change, some of the more useful orbital regimes risk becoming unsustainable due increasing congestion and debris.

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Short Biography

Gilles Doucet is an independent space security consultant and founder of Spectrum Space Security Inc., with expertise in satellite technologies, military space applications, space regulatory frameworks and international space security cooperation. Consulting services include research, advice and education on multiple aspects of space security: technology, policy and the impact of international and national regulatory regimes on commercial and government activities in the space national security sector.
Mr Doucet recently established his consulting company following a 35 year career as a research scientist with the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) during which he held numerous positions researching and assessing space capabilities relevant to military and national security applications. Mr Doucet’s current consulting practice specializes on the challenges emerging from the rapid technology- enabled growth in new space applications within the context of a lagging international security environment.
In other professional activities, Doucet is a technical consultant for ABH Aerospace, a U.S.-based firm which provides advice and counsel on all aspects of aviation, space and cybersecurity law, and serves as a technical expert for the MILAMOS international space law project (Manual on International Law Applicable to Military Use of Outer Space).
Mr Doucet holds Bachelor & Masters degrees in Mechanical Engineering (Ottawa, 1981 & 1993) and a Graduate Certificate of Air and Space Law (McGill -2017).

Planetary rovers: Driving where g isn't 10 m/s^2

Rovers have dramatically increased our ability to explore Mars, and there is a growing body of work in rover field testing done in analogue environments here on Earth to aid rover designers, planners, and operators. A key Martian attribute that cannot be replicated in field trials on Earth, though, is the effect of reduced gravity on the soil itself. Soil in reduced gravity has reduced strength which poses a mobility challenge. This lecture outlines some of the physical effects of reduced gravity on soils, and describes our research lab’s upcoming experimentation campaign to test rover wheel-soil interactions in reduced-gravity flights aboard the National Research Council’s Falcon 20 aircraft.

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Short Biography

Chris is an assistant professor at Concordia University, in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, and a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair in Aerospace Robotics. He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Toronto in Aerospace Engineering and his PhD in Robotics at Carnegie Mellon University, with a thesis on low- gravity robotic excavation and mobility. He had completed an internship and Master’s research fellowship at MDA working on the ISS manipulator arm and on ExoMars wheel-walking simulations, respectively.

The Hidden X-ray Universe

X-ray astronomy gives us a window into the highly energetic, sometimes violent, parts of our universe. We can peer into the heart of our galaxy and probe the inner parts of a super nova. I will give an overview of the X-ray telescopes used today, what it takes to build one, and the astronomy they reveal.

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Short Biography

Melania completed her PhD at Columbia University, where she helped construct part of the X-ray space telescope NuSTAR. Now as a Postdoctoral researcher at the McGill Space Institute, she continues to explore the wonderful (and sometimes messy) science of X-ray astronomy.

A Vision for Canadian Space Exploration

The Canadian Space Exploration Workshop organized by CSA in November 2016 brought together the communities of space astronomy, planetary science, and space health to discuss current and future missions prospects and develop priorities. Two clear issues arose: a lack of resources to maintain our legacy of excellence in space exploration and a lack of process for choosing where to invest those resources. In response to this and in consultation with stakeholders from science and industry, we developed a white paper articulating a vision for Canadian space exploration. I'll summarize the key points of the white paper and talk about our subsequent efforts to promote this vision.

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Short Biography

Sarah Gallagher is an expert on the growth of supermassive black holes, focussing on multiwavelength and theoretical investigations into their winds. She was an early member of two Chandra instrument teams and won one of the first NASA Spitzer postdoctoral fellowships (hosted at UCLA). Her research has been recognized with an Ontario Early Career Researcher Award and a Western University Faculty Scholar Award. She has served on more than 10 time allocation panels for space observatories, and on the users' committees for the Hubble Space Telescope and two space data archives. She was a Director on the board of the Canadian Astronomical Society and a member of the CSA-CASCA Joint Committee on Space Astronomy.

Micro-machining an electrospray ion thruster for CubeSats

CubeSats, a type of a type of micro-satellite, are gaining attention as an economical and cost-effective satellite platform for governmental, commercial and academic institutions. The major obstacle to further development of this versatile platform has been the lack of compact propulsion systems that harness on-board power. This presentation will propose a viable approach based on prior research from literature.

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Short Biography

I graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering. I worked at ARLANXEO, a joint venture between Lanxess and Saudi Aramco until April 2017, after which I joined Prof. Fabio Cicoira in the Department of Chemical Engineering as a graduate student. My project involves fabricating an electrospray ion thruster for the 2020 Polyorbite CubeSat mission

Canadian Commercial Space Opportunities

Canada has opportunities to grow its space economy through multi-sector engagement, tools to expand its national and international reach, policy enhancements, technology advancements and more. Hear sector insights, networks, strategy and support to navigate this new paradigm in Canada.

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Short Biography

Alec Wenzowski is a board member of the Canadian Space Commerce Association and serves as the Vice President of Development and Partnerships. He is a McGill alum, the President of MaxQ Canada, and a serial entrepreneur. From satellite data hackathons to founder networking events to Space Advisory Board consultation submission, Alec actively participates in forging the future for commercial space technology in Canada.

International Space Station Robotics: a success story

The International Space Station (ISS) is the most complex technical endeavour that humanity has ever undertaken. Maintaining such a complex structure required new techniques and technologies. One of the technologies that’s been used with immense success has been space robotics. The Mobile Servicing System (MSS) has been used not only to assemble the ISS but is now being increasingly used to maintain the aging ISS.
Over the years, more and more tasks that would originally have been done via Extravehicular Activities (EVAs) are now being performed using ISS robotics systems. This growing experience base has allowed the ISS program to be both more efficient and to push the envelope of what can be accomplished robotically. Nowadays, all but a very small number of ISS robotic operations are commanded by personnel on the ground. Flight controllers on the ground perform the planning and execution of these operations.

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Short Biography

Danielle Cormier works for the Canadian Space Agency as a Mission Controller for the Robotics Systems of the International Space Station. She is one of the eight Canadian members of the NASA group that plans and executes operations for the Space Station Robotics systems. She also supported the Phoenix Polar Lander mission as a flight controller during its second month of operations on the surface of Mars. Having grown up looking at the stars and dreaming of outer space in Amos, Quebec, Danielle got her bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the École Polytechnique de Montréal. She subsequently started at the Canadian Space Agency as a co-op student, which led to the position that she currently occupies. She also holds a Master's Degree in Engineering Management from the Université de Sherbrooke.

(Space) Engineering as a Career?

This presentation will briefly cover some key topics on ‘Engineering as a Career’ with special focus on Space engineering, covering activities such as satellite design, manufacturing, assembly and integration, testing, launch and operations. Several Canadian satellite projects will be used as examples throughout the presentation to underline the typical work an engineer performs on different subsystem such as structures, thermal, power, attitude control, propulsion, command and data handling, comms, etc. The satellite projects presented will be those that the presenter has worked on in recent years, and are NEOSSat (Near-Earth Object Surveillance Satellite), M3MSat (Maritime Monitoring and Messaging Microsatellite), and RCM (RADARSAT Constellation Mission).

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Short Biography

Siamak Tafazoli is a senior project manager in the Space Utilization branch of the Canadian Space Agency. He holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in aerospace engineering from Carleton University in Ottawa and McGill University in Montreal, respectively, and obtained his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Concordia University in Montreal. Siamak also obtained a graduate degree in Air and Space Law from McGill’s Institute for Air and Space Law. He has about 25 years of experience in the aerospace industry having had his own consulting company, working in industry at CAE Electronics and Canadair, in academia for McGill and Concordia universities as adjunct professor and in government at the National Research Council of Canada and since 2000 at the Canadian Space Agency. He has been involved in technical and project management of Canadian satellites missions such as NEOSSat, M3MSat and RCM.
Dr. Tafazoli is the Canadian representative at the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) Management Council. He has more than 60 technical publications.

The JAC Solar Eclipse - An Astronomical First Day of Classes

The SandBOX is a student-centric innovation and social entrepreneurship hub at John Abbott College whose mission is to engage students from all disciplines in a problem-solving process for real world issues. Its first project to attain completion was the August 21st Solar Eclipse Viewing, started by a team of students whose combined passions include astronomy, STEM education, and the betterment of their community. This event was hosted in participation with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in the hopes of bringing together people from all walks of life and introducing them to space science in an accessible, memorable way, and ended up attracting over 2000 people from the college and surrounding areas! Here, one of these students, Emilie Lafleche, will be speaking about her experience with the SandBOX planning and hosting this unforgettable event, as well as what drives her to continue her studies in space sciences.

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Short Biography

Emilie Lafleche grew up in Montreal, QC and recently moved to the West Island. After being selected to attend an environmental science research trip to Cornwall, ON in grade 10, she found a mentor who introduced her to the world of astrobiology. Since then, she has enrolled in the Science program at John Abbott College and continues to share her passion for space sciences and community involvement with the world.

Suborbital Flights, a National Approach?

At the time air and space law regimes have been conceived, in the XXth Century, the prospective of future activities embracing both regimes was not given much thought. However, today, the evolution of technology and the increase of commercial aviation and spatial activities, and mostly the arising of hybrid activities, have made the lack of uniformity and interaction between air and space law regimes worthy of attention. Particularly, future commercial activities such as suborbital flights will take place in both air space and outer space, making the choice of which legal regime to follow unclear and, thus, we are assisting to different solutions on this problem adopted by some space faring -but also non faring- nations, which are supported by divergent political positions. This situation is further complicated by the lack of a legal demarcation line between the air and the space.The study has the scope to explore the different legal solutions to this issue and the possibility for ICAO to incorporate suborbital flights in its regulatory regime.

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Short Biography

LL.M. Thesis student at the McGill University's Institute of Air and Space Law

Human Society in Space: Utopias and Outer Space Posthumanism

This short presentation explores the social and political aspects of the migration of humans into space (also referred to as space colonization). Specifically, it focuses on some of the challenges of political organization, economy, and ethics beyond planet Earth. How will extraterrestrial environments affect the ethics and guiding principles of current societies? Does the prospect of permanent migration into space herald a transition to a post-human world?
In this presentation I point out some ethical and political challenges of migration (or colonization) that stem not just from the radical differences between our home planet and space environments, but also from our inability to anticipate the effects of fundamental aspects of space migration. For example: how would the scarcity of air and water affect political organization? How might different political arrangements (capitalistic, communitarian, autocratic) arise from organizational and economic premises in the early stages of space exploration?
Long duration space mission experiments, as well as literary imagination (from SF author such as Robert Heinlein, Philip K. Dick, among other author), provide some of the food for thought used in this presentation. It aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion about the ethics of space exploration and the challenges of developing a new way of being for humans outside our home planet.

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Short Biography

Artur Matos Alves holds a PhD in Communication Studies from the New University of Lisbon, with a dissertation on the social and political impacts of emerging technologies. He currently lectures in Concordia University. His research focuses on philosophy of technology and the societal dimensions of emerging technologies, new media, and cyber conflict.

An introduction to Satellite Operations and Engineering Support at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) / Une introduction aux opérations satellitaires et support d’ingénierie à l’agence spatiale canadienne (ASC)

This presentation will provide information about current satellites being operated at CSA/St-Hubert, the ground facilities involved, how operations are done, and an overview of engineering support activities.

Cette présentation fournira des informations sur les satellites actuellement opérés à l’ASC/St-Hubert, les installations terrestres en jeux, le déroulement des opérations, ainsi qu’un survol des activités de support d’ingénierie.

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Short Biography

Graduated from Polytechnique (B. Eng) and from McGill (M. Eng ) in electrical engineering. Since 1994, M. Carrié worked in the space industry in satellite development and operations. Main space program contributions include: Radarsat (1,2 et RCM), SCISAT-1, HTV, Cassiope, NEOSSat, M3MSat
Currently, senior engineer in the Satellite Operations group at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), he is responsible for on-going flight operations and supporting the development of future missions.

Space Related Activities at NRC

The National Research Council (NRC) plays a critical role in supporting the Canadian space industry by conducting research and technology development in the design, manufacture and qualification of space hardware. The NRC has many facilities related to space such as; the Falcon 20 aircraft to simulate micro- gravity, a large reverberant acoustic chamber to simulate launch, a large electrodynamic shaker for structural qualification testing and modal testing systems, an anechoic room for performing tests on antennas and RF payloads. NRC expertise has supported number of research projects such as laparoscopic surgery in space, space debris deorbiting technologies, evaluation of new space suits, supporting students in the Canadian Reduced Gravity Experiment Design Challenge, performing vibroacoustic qualification of RADARSAT, CASSIOPE and RCM satellites and providing support to CSA for spacecraft structural design. The NRC facilities are supported by the knowledge and expertise of its researchers to enable the Canadian space industry to enhance space related technologies.

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Short Biography

Dr. Viresh Wickramasinghe is the a Senior Research Officer and Group Leader of Aeroacoustics and Structural Dynamics Group at the Flight Research Laboratory of the National Research Council Canada. Prior to joining NRC in 2001, he worked as a Research Associate at the Active Materials and Structures Laboratory at MIT and helicopter maintenance engineer for the Sri Lankan Air Force. He obtained the PhD degree from Carleton University, Master of Science degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy. His research interests include analysis and control of dynamic responses of structures to vibration, noise, blast and aerodynamics loads as well as response of human subjects to vibration and acoustic environments.

Inspiring Future Marsonauts with 3D Games Programming

Policy makers in education now emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This change has opened up a lot of opportunities to develop curriculum on the thrilling science of Mars exploration. In this presentation I explain how my experiences teaching 3D games programming to high school students can and should be adapted to learn science through a virtual Martian environment.
This talk presents "Martian Agora", a 3D Mars game I developed to help with science instruction. The game uses real Mars terrain data and engineering concepts from Mars Society publications. Students learn science concepts while exploring how this game is built. Concepts like: gases, pressures, humidity, composition, radiation, coordinate systems, energy storage, energy production, gravity, and much more. For more information and videos, please visit my website.

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Short Biography

Stuart is a programmer and educator. He studied computer science at McGill and education technology at Concordia. He has worked in the software industry and as a high school technology teacher. His YouTube videos have nearly a million views, where he teaches 3D games programming to people with little programming experience. Stuart is interested in education software, education games, free software, and technological literacy.

How to Fit the Universe in a Classroom

In our fast-paced and rapidly changing world, we tend to overlook the importance of admiring what is above us - the ever-expanding universe. We, the Educational Outreach division of the McGill Space Systems Group, aim to attune Earth's inhabitants to the wonders of space. Since our group's liftoff, we have connected with over 300 young minds ranging from 6 to 17 years of age. We have covered various topics including gravity, the solar system, and the importance of satellite research.
Through executing our mission, we have witnessed that space-related topics are not the easiest to comprehend, given their abstract nature. It is therefore imperative to value pedagogical approaches, and their improvement, as much as the content we wish to teach. We are going to share with you the approaches we have used as well as teaching philosophies that teachers can adopt to encourage any individual's contribution to humanity's advancements in space.

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Short Biography

The Education division of the McGill Space Systems Group started as a small team of devoted undergraduate students, wanting to make a difference by teaching the importance of space. The diversity of backgrounds is a key element to our success and we are proud to show how blending education and technical expertise has let us achieve more than we ever hoped. After multiple presentations in classes, camps, and winning the CEEA 2017 Video
Constest's first place, we are now more ready than ever to uncover and explain the true beauty of space and its exploration.

ABB's Perspective on Space Optics in Canada

We will present a somewhat biased overview of past, current and possible future space optics projects in Canada. We will also present some of ABB's capabilities and domestic and foreign projects in that domain.

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Short Biography

M.Sc. in atmospheric science (McGill 1993). System engineer at ABB since 1998.

CHIME: The Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment

CHIME is a new radio telescope at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) near Penticton, British Columbia that will tackle several major questions in cosmology and astrophysics. The telescope will make a three dimensional map of the distant universe that will be used to probe the fundamental nature of dark energy -- the mysterious agent invoked to explain the acclerating expansion of the universe. It will also perform a survey for Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) -- bright pulses of radio emission arriving in random directions from unknown sources well beyond our galaxy. Finally, it will precisely measure the arrival time of radio pulses from known pulsars in an effort to detect ripples in the fabric of space and time due to gravitational waves. CHIME was made possible by using market-driven commercial technologies in innovative ways. In this talk, I will give an overview of the instrument and describe exactly how it will address these exciting science topics.

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Short Biography

Seth Siegel is a postdoctoral fellow at McGill University. He earned a Bachelors of Science in physics and mathematics from the University of Michigan, and a PhD in physics from the California Institute of Technology. His research involves developing novel astronomical instrumentation and using it to probe the large scale properties of the universe.

Collaborative innovation: Issues, Challenges and Winning practices, the example of the aerospace industry

"The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (CRIAQ) and the Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC) are organizations whose missions are to facilitate collaboration of researchers from the aerospace industry, academia and research centres, and to launch initiatives whose primary purpose is to promote responsive, impactful R&D. This lecture will insist on the distinctive characteristics of these models and their impact on Quebec and Canada’s aerospace innovation culture. The lecture will also emphasize on the issues, importance and challenges of industrial cluster in collaborative innovation to accelerate the introduction of enabling and disruptive technologies, particularly in SMEs."

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Short Biography

"Sofiane Benyouci is Project and Business Development Manager for CRIAQ and CARIC which are respectively the Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Quebec and in Canada. He has been a member of the CRIAQ and CARIC team for over 5 years where he is active in scouting, networking, assembling and financing major collaborative innovation projects serving innovative aerospace companies. He excels particularly in the setting up of local and international strategic alliances, carrying innovating projects with high potential and assiduously supports their launch and progress until their success.
Prior to joining CRIAQ and CARIC, Sofiane has worked as international project coordinator for a major French industrial cluster for advanced manufacturing technologies and as project manager for the Canadian Green Aviation Research and Development Network. Sofiane was also a research assistant for the Marshall Radar Observatory of McGill University.
Sofiane holds a Master in Industrial Engineering and a bachelor in Aerospace Engineering from Polytechnique School of Montreal. He also holds a diploma in technology innovation and commercialization management from the business school HEC Montréal. During his studies, Sofiane has developed an expertise in the digital transformation of aerospace companies.
Born in Algiers (Algeria), sofiane is also a jazz musician and soccer player."

The Canadian Space Program at a Crossroads

With the launch of Alouette 1 in 1962, Canada became the third country to have a satellite in space. Subsequent successes include robotic contributions to the Space Shuttle and International Space Station, satellite missions such as SCISAT-1 and CASSIOPE, and a high-profile astronaut corps that recent welcomed its two newest members. Next year, Canada looks forward to the launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission and the six-month ISS expedition of David Saint-Jacques. Beyond 2018, the Canadian space program is at a crossroads, awaiting a new space strategy and follow-on space plan to provide the policies and funding needed to grow our space capabilities in the years ahead.

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Short Biography

Eric Choi is senior business development manager at Magellan Aerospace. In his career, he has worked on an instrument for the Phoenix Mars Lander, the Canadarm2, the RADARSAT-1 satellite and the MOPITT instrument on the Terra satellite. An alumnus of the International Space University, he holds a B.A.Sc in engineering science and an M.A.Sc in aerospace engineering, both from the University of Toronto, and an MBA from York University.

Defence Space Research – Today and Tomorrow / Recherche pour la défense sur l'Espace - D’aujourd’hui à demain

Canada will modernize its space capabilities and will take steps to protect these critical assets against sophisticated threats, while continuing to promote the peaceful use of outer space. We will assume a more assertive posture in the cyber domain by hardening our defences and by conducting active cyber operations against potential adversaries in the context of government-authorized military missions. Cyber operations will be subject to all applicable domestic law, international law, and proven checks and balances such as rules of engagement, targeting and collateral damage assessments.

Le Canada modernisera ses capacités spatiales et prendra des mesures pour protéger ces ressources essentielles contre les menaces sophistiquées tout en continuant à promouvoir l’utilisation pacifique de l’espace extra-atmosphérique. Nous adopterons une posture plus délibérée dans le cyber domaine en renforçant nos défenses et en menant des cyber opérations actives contre d’éventuels adversaires dans le contexte de missions militaires autorisées par le gouverne­ment. Les cyber opérations seront soumises à toutes les lois natio­nales applicables, au droit international et aux garde-fous éprouvés tels que les règles d’engagement, le ciblage et les estimations des dommages collatéraux.

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Short Biography

Joining the military in 1989 as a Communications and Electronics Engineering (CELE) Officer, Major Reyes has over twenty-seven years of experience as a military officer in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), with assignments around the world and throughout Canada. Her various experiences have given her a sound knowledge of space and space-related systems, operational requirements, security, and communications. She has been involved in all aspects of management throughout her career. Utilizing her knowledge of remote sensing and space systems, some of her previous assignments include working at the Canadian Space Agency on the RADARSAT Constellation Mission satellites, Director General Space in satellite communications, 8 Wing Air Communication and Control Squadron for mobile airfield communications, the North Warning System Office on the northern coastal radars, 12th Space Warning Squadron Greenland working with the United States Air Force, North American Aerospace Defence (NORAD) Headquarters (Colorado) in strategic missile warning, and Kandahar Air Field (Afghanistan) as Deputy Chief Communication Operations.

Major Reyes was recently named the Associate Centre Director at the Ottawa Research Centre of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC). DRDC Ottawa specializes in research related to Electronic Warfare, cyber operations, space operations, and radar. Formally the Group Leader for Space Systems and Operations at DRDC Ottawa, her team was developing Space Situational Awareness and Space Mission Assurance for the Canadian military by studying ways to provide a picture of space events and space asset status for decision-makers, characterize the space environment and potential threats, improve methods for classifying these threats, and studying ways to protect space systems of national interest through effective assessment methodologies, the analysis of space system architectures, and their associated risks, vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies. A satellite that was jointly developed by DRDC Ottawa and the Canadian Space Agency was launched in 2016 from India and Maj Reyes has the chief administrative responsibilities to complete its implementation requirements.

Major Reyes received her Master of Sciences Degree from the University of Colorado, specializing in Remote Sensing. In 2012, she completed the International Space University Space Studies Program, a prestigious civilian, international and interdisciplinary course which teaches students space-related topics in seven disciplines. She has co-authored articles that have been published in international, scientific and space journals and continues to act as a scientific reviewer for international journals. Wanting to promote the positive influence of diversity and different cultures, Major Reyes was a member of the Visible Minority Advisory Group at the Canadian Space Agency and is still a member of the Defence Visible Minority Group based out of National Defence Headquarters. She is honoured to be a part of the Canadian Armed Forces Outreach Programme, promoting military careers for women and diverse cultures.

An avid dragon boater and squash player, Major Reyes won three gold medals at the 2016 Club Crew World Championships in Australia and most recently a gold medal at the Canadian National Championships 2017 as a member of an Ottawa women’s dragon boat team (civilian), has won the Canadian Forces National Squash Championships (Female Category) three times and was a member of the Canadian Forces Squash Team at five Canadian Interprovincial Squash Team Championships. In Winnipeg, Major Reyes coached her female (civilian) dragon boat team to four undefeated seasons. She voluntarily coaches squash players at her local Ottawa squash club. She was Canadian Forces Vice Chief of Defence Staff Female Athlete of the Year 2007. Major Reyes plays classical piano and flute, is learning to play the cello and Japanese Taiko drums, and sings in a local women’s choir.

The case for adaptive systems in aerospace

"Self-adaptive computing carries unmatched potential and great promises for the creation of a new generation of smart, more reliable computers, and it addresses the challenge of designing and programming modern and future computer systems with long-term autonomy. Drawing from the fields of artificial intelligence, autonomic computing, and reconfigurable systems, we aim at developing self-adaptive computer systems for aerospace. Potential applications include Earth observation, planetary exploration, and disaster response."

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Short Biography

Giovanni Beltrame received the Ph.D. degree in computer engineering from the Politecnico di Milano, Italy. He worked as a microelectronic engineer at the European Space Agency, Noordwijk, Netherlands, where he was involved in a number of projects spanning from radiation-tolerant systems to computer-aided design. Currently, Prof. Beltrame is an Associate Professor and Director of the MIST Laboratory in the Department of Computer and Software Engineering, Polytechnique de Montréal, QC, Canada. His current research interests are in high-performance data systems for aerospace, design methodologies for adaptive and self-optimizing systems, optimization, artificial intelligence, robotics, and space systems in general.