Mission Database and Technology Planning at the Canadian Space Agency
- Paper number
IAC-07-D3.4.-D3.5-E5.5.03
- Author
Dr. Jean-Claude Piedboeuf, Canadian Space Agency, Canada
- Year
2007
- Abstract
To plan the future and select the best opportunities that meet the Canadian Space Strategy, it is critical to be aware of all potential opportunities for space missions for a long-term horizon. It is clear that for a short-term horizon, there are fewer missions with a high probability of realisation so the choices are relatively easy. However, if we are looking further in the future, we have more missions since we cannot at this point make a firm decision. Indeed, decision to embark or not on a specific mission depend on many factors that are not under CSA direct control: e.g. readiness of the technology, opportunity for partnership, or potential market for industry. A key factor in making a decision is to know all the possibilities. The objective of the Mission Database (MDB) is to include in one repository all the potential space missions that could be of interest to Canada. That means that the database will include missions for which CSA is the Canadian lead but also the missions lead by other organisations (e.g. DND, industry, university) that are not getting direct funding from CSA. The database covers all potential space activities involving Canadian organisations. This inclusion is important since as maitre d'oeuvre, CSA must be aware off all potential space activities. It is also critical to orient CSA technology and science plans. The database will also become a repository of Canadian past and current space missions. In-deed, when we will advance in time, decisions will be made to embark on different missions. The database will record this evolution and the potential missions that were not selected will become obsolete. When a mission is completed, the database will keep the record of these missions so with time it will contain all the space missions involving in which Canada is involved. Therefore, it will become an important communication tool. While the idea of a mission database is simple, it is important to develop a process that will allow the selection of the best missions ideas while keeping the database manageable. This process must be transparent and as simple as possible. The number of ideas contained in the database should be in line with the potential of realisation. This paper presents the process and the inclu-sion criteria through which potential space missions could be included in the database. It also discusses the structure of the database and the process to update the database. Having all potential missions within a database allows for better planning of the technology devel-opment. Indeed, it takes time to bring a technology to level of maturity required for a mission. By including the technology requirements in the database, this permits a prioritization of the technol-ogy development to meet the future needs. This document discusses the classification of the technology requirements for specific missions. The figure below (to be included in the paper) shows a general overview of the Mission Database as part of CSA governance process. The database will be accessible through the web. Read only mode will be allowed for all but restricted access will be implemented to input new ideas for mission, payload or technology. The database is currently being developed and by the time of IAC, a first version should be on-line. The concept of this database is also being explored as a tool for sharing the international exploration plans between the various space agencies.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-07-D3.4.-D3.5-E5.5.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.