Canada and The International Space Station Program: Overview and Status

Paper number

IAC-05-B4.1.04

Author

Mr. Graham Gibbs, Canadian Embassy, United States

Year

2005

Abstract

Co-Authors: 
Savi Sachdev, Director General, Space Programs
Benoit Marcotte, Director Operations Engineering and Program Manager
David Kendall, Director General Space Science 
Jean-Marc Comtois, Director, Canadian Astronaut Office

ABSTRACT

Though Shuttle operations have not yet resumed, and thus assembly of the Space Station, the twelve months since IAC 2004 have been productive for the Canadian Space Station Program Office.
The first elements of Canada\'s on-orbit contributions, Canadarm2 and its Base System, were launched in April 2001 and June 2002 respectively. Since then, and during this period with no Shuttle operations, these elements have continued to provide critical on-orbit operations. The final element of Canada\'s contribution, Dextre, a two-armed robot is undergoing final integration and test. The launch of Dextre is scheduled for August 2007, however this may be delayed by one year if a proposed Hubble Robotic Servicing Mission proceeds since the mission would use Dextre components, that will be replaced by NASA. 
In May 2004 the Canadian Space Station Operations Directorate achieved a major milestone with the full commissioning of a Remote Multi-Purpose Support Room (RMPSR) at CSA Headquarters in Saint Hubert, Canada. The RMPSR is providing real-time support of on-orbit robotics operations.
In February 2005 the Canadian team achieved another first with ground control of Canadarm2 on the Space Station. During the coming months the complexity of ground-controlled maneuvers will be gradually increased. Robotics ground control has been a goal of the Canadian Space Agency for many years. When fully implemented ground control will help save increasingly precious on-orbit crew time.
The Space Station Partners have continued to find ways and means to implement the ISS Program Action Plan agreed by the ISS Heads of Agencies (HOAs). The HOAs last met in Montreal in January 2004.
The Paper provides details of the highlights outlined above as well as the challenges facing all partners in resuming ISS assembly as soon as the Shuttle returns to flight and, especially, configuring the station to be able to accommodate a crew of at least six.

Abstract document

IAC-05-B4.1.04.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-B4.1.04.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.