SpaceRef Canada

New Book Inspires Young People to Build Scientific Toys

2013-05-16T19:32:00Z

A new book encourages young people to build wooden toys and in the process, learn simple scientific principles.

Taylor's Pneumatic Toys - How to Build Toys out of Wood with your Children by Stanley R. Taylor provides instructions on how to build various toys which utilize several important scienctific principles.

All the toys in the book are pneumatic, using air to apply the force.Using a syringe, students can build model cars with brakes, front end loaders and a pneumatically controlled version of the Canadarm.

For each toy, there are drawings and pictures of the toy and instructions on how to construct it.

Taylor says the designs have been used by both children and adults:

I've designed pneumatic toys elementary and secondary students can build using wood. I have drawings and pictures of each toy with instructions on how to build them. Children have the opportunity to learn the joy of working with wood to the construction of an end product. Children and adults alike have learned through my workshops how to make many of the toys in this book. The sparkle in the eye of a child and the broad smile of an educator when they have made the toy and when they see it working is most gratifying. I am not a carpenter. My 'toys' are available for everyone to build and with care, should last a lifetime. Buy my book and let the fun begin!

Author Stan Taylor

Taylor is a professional educator and is active with the Science Teachers of Ontario.

"Taylor's Pneumatic Toys - How to Build Toys Out of Wood with your Children" is available from Chapters/Indigo, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

First Post Landing News Conference with Chris Hadfield

2013-05-16T18:10:11Z

Today Canadian Space Agency astronaut Chris Hadfield answered questions from the media in his first news conference since returning to Earth after his five month long stay aboard the International Space Station.

Topics included the scientific and research benefits of doing research on the International Space Station, his re-adaptation to gravity and his overwhelming social media success .

Quantum Computer Coup for Canadian Company D-Wave Systems

2013-05-16T13:51:41Z

D-Wave Systems out of Vancouver announced today that one its new D-Wave Two™ quantum computers will be installed at the newly established Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab, a collaboration between Google, the Universities Space Research Association and NASA.

The lab will be hosted at NASA's Ames Research Center and Google has stated their goal is "to study how quantum computing might advance machine learning."

The lab will initially be home to D-Wave Systems Inc. new 512-qubit quantum computer, the D-Wave Two™. D-Wave, also has offices in Palo Alto and bills itself as the first commercial quantum computing company.

Google in a post on their Research Blog today said "Machine learning is all about building better models of the world to make more accurate predictions. If we want to cure diseases, we need better models of how they develop. If we want to create effective environmental policies, we need better models of what's happening to our climate. And if we want to build a more useful search engine, we need to better understand spoken questions and what's on the web so you get the best answer."

"Classical computers aren't well suited to these types of creative problems. Solving such problems can be imagined as trying to find the lowest point on a surface covered in hills and valleys. Classical computing might use what's called "gradient descent": start at a random spot on the surface, look around for a lower spot to walk down to, and repeat until you can't walk downhill anymore. But all too often that gets you stuck in a "local minimum" -- a valley that isn't the very lowest point on the surface."

"That's where quantum computing comes in. It lets you cheat a little, giving you some chance to "tunnel" through a ridge to see if there's a lower valley hidden beyond it. This gives you a much better shot at finding the true lowest point -- the optimal solution."

USRA will manage the science operations for the collaboration which will benefit its researchers by having an allocation of 20% of the computing time.

Canada is a world leader in quantum research with the Perimeter Institute of Theoretical Physics in Waterloo leading the way and includes world class researchers such as Stephen Hawkings

"D-Wave has made significant strides in the technology, application and now commercialization of quantum computing," said Steve Conway , IDC research vice president for high performance computing. "The order for a D-Wave Two system for the initiative launched by NASA, Google and USRA attests to the revolutionary potential of this fundamentally different approach to computing for both industry and government. HPC buyers and users are looking for ways to speed up their applications beyond what contemporary technologies can deliver. IDC believes organizations that depend on leading-edge technology would do well to begin exploring the possibilities for quantum computing."

Installation of the new quantum computer at NASA Ames and is expected to be operation by Q3.

CSA to Webcast Chris Hadfield First Post Landing Press Conference (Updated)

2013-05-15T15:51:04Z

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will webcast Chris Hadfield's first news conference tomorrow since his return from his five month stay on the International Space Station. Users will be able to watch the webcast on the CSA web site if the webcast is not overloaded.

In a release sent out to media, the CSA made a strange point; "The media session will be webcast live over the CSA website. To ensure access to the feed, please connect at 9:50 a.m. as after that the system might be overloaded by users."

It seems strange that in 2013 anyone would need to make such a statement, let alone a government funded organization. After all the tools are easily accessible to anyone to broadcast to a large audience.

In fact the CSA has a UStream channel which they could use to broadcast the webcast and not worry about making such a statement.

As well, if anyone in the audience wanted to, they could use their smartphone to broadcast live on Ustream tomorrow's event and not worry about how many people will be connecting to their channel.

Perhaps it's time the CSA reconsider its webcast strategy as the current one doesn't seem to be working as evident by their above statement.

When: May 16, 2013*

What time: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. EDT*

Web address: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/webcast.asp

* The date and time of the event may change without advance notice.

May 16, 8:00 am ET update: It appears the CSA might webcast the event on UStream now. Their channel just went live with a notice saying the next webcast is today at 10. As well, the CBC has announced they will Livestream the event on their web site.

Chris Hadfield and Crewmates Land Safely in Kazakhstan

2013-05-14T02:28:03Z

Three members of the International Space Station Expedition 35 crew including Chris Hadfield undocked from the orbiting space station and returned safely to Earth Monday evening, wrapping up a mission lasting almost five months.

Space station Commander Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency, Soyuz Commander Roman Romanenko of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) and NASA Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn undocked their Soyuz TMA-07M spacecraft from the space station at 7:08 p.m. EDT. They landed southeast of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan, about 10:31 p.m. (8:31 a.m. May 14, Kazakh time).

Hadfield, Romanenko and Marshburn traveled almost 62 million miles while completing 2,336 orbits of Earth. The trio arrived at the station Dec. 21 and spent 146 days in space, 144 of which were aboard the station.

Pavel Vinogradov of Roscosmos is in command of Expedition 36. He is joined by NASA Flight Engineer Chris Cassidy and Russian cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin. That trio will work aboard the station until three additional crew members, including NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg, arrive May 28.

Chris Hadfield Space Oddity Music Video

2013-05-13T14:01:45Z

Aboard the International Space Station, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield has recorded a revised version of David Bowie's famous Space Oddity.

Canada Appears Unwilling to Pay for Astronaut Access to the Space Station

2013-05-13T13:19:43Z

Today marks the end of one of Canada's astronauts greatest achievements, but also marks the beginning of a long hiatus for Canadian astronauts in space.

At 10:31 p.m. EST tonight, Chris Hadfield should be landing in a Soyuz capsule on the Kazakh steppe marking the end of a remarkable journey which showcased his skill as the first Canadian commander of the International Space Station.

But as outlined in a Canadian Press article, no Canadian will visit the International Space Station until at least 2016 and possibly as late as 2019. That's a wait of 3-6 years.

The reason? Canada doesn't have enough credits earned to have another astronaut sent to the space station.

From the Canadian Press article:

Leclerc noted that Canada collects "credits" based on its contributions to the development of the space station, with the credits traded in for trips by astronauts.

"The ISS is a big co-operative," he said. "You get in return what you put into the program and right now we still have some credits left, but we have to accumulate these credits."

Currently the only way to send astronauts to the space station is via the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. And as the Americans have learned that is an expensive endeavour.

NASA just signed another extension for six more seats on the Soyuz for $424 million, or $70.7 per seat, to run through June 2017.

Canada had been in negotiations with the Russians to potentially buy a seat or two. However at these current prices the government appears unwilling to spend the money.

The Canadian Space Agency budget is shrinking and one Soyuz ride to space would account for almost 1/4 of the agencies meagre budget.

The next Canadian in space might not even be a Canadian Space Agency astronaut. It might be an Astronaut for Hire, Erik Seedhouse, who would paid to perform suborbital experiments on the private XCOR Lynx spacecraft when it starts commercial operations in a few years.

As well, Canada might never buy a seat on a Soyuz. Commercial competition is underway in the U.S. with SpaceX potentially being the first to send astronauts to the space station as soon as 2016. A seat on a SpaceX Dragon will be significantly cheaper than a Soyuz seat.

Regardless which Canadian goes into space next, it appears they'll be flying commercial.

Live coverage of the Chris Hadfield's return from space starts at 9:15 p.m. ET on SpaceRef.

RADARSAT-1 Mission Officially Declared Non-Operational

2013-05-10T12:30:17Z

Canada's first Earth Observation satellite has been officially declared non-operational after a final anomaly consigned the satellite to what will be a very slow de-orbit to a final fiery burn-up in the Earth's atmosphere.

The anomaly that took RADARSAT-1 out of commission on March 29th wasn't its first, but it was its last.

RADARSAT-1's mission was to monitor environmental changes and the planet's natural resources. Launched in November of 1995, its lifespan was to have been five years. However it lasted well beyond the original factory warranty to work another 12 years for a total service time of 17 years.

Ironically, it was just over a year ago when Europe's newer ENVISAT satellite went offline and for which RADARSAT-1 was tasked to help fill-in with the lost access to data.

According to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), RADARSAT-1 can count among its many accomplishments the Antarctic Mapping Missions (AMM) which took place in 1999 and 2000 and delivered the first-ever high-resolution maps of the entire frozen continent.

The CSA said that "during its 90,828 orbits around the earth it provided 625,848 images to more than 600 clients and partners in Canada and 60 countries worldwide. It assisted with information gathering during 244 disaster events and literally mapped the world, providing complete coverage of the World's continents, continental shelves and polar icecaps."

"RADARSAT-1 showcased Canadian technical innovation and fostered the creation of value-added applications development serving the needs of Canada and the world. Its successor, RADARSAT-2, continues to build on this advanced radar technology and provides clients with greatly improved and diversified images of the Earth," said Gilles Leclerc, Acting President of the CSA.

Joining the heritage of RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 will be the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, an initial three satellite constellation currently being built and for which full funding was approved earlier this year.

RADARSAT-1 does not have enough propellant to de-orbit the satellite immediately. With little to no propellant left, gravity will slowly bring the satellite back to Earth. However according to one engineer who worked on the RADARSAT-1 mission because of the lack of propellant and based on its orbit, it could take centuries for it to eventually burn-up in the atmosphere.

RADARSAT-1 was built before international space debris mitigation guidelines were in place which mandate that satellites have enough propellant for a safe and timely de-orbit before they cease to function.

Chris Hadfield to Return to Earth on May 13

2013-05-09T14:06:29Z

At approximately 10:31 p.m. EDT on Monday, May 13th Chris Hadfield's long duration stay aboard the International Space Station will have come to an end as he lands near Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan with his fellow astronauts Tom Marshburn and Roman Romanenko.

You can watch a live Canadian Space Agency (CSA) webcast starting at 9:30 p.m. EDT. NASA TV will also have coverage starting at 9:15 p.m. EST which will be broadcast on SpaceRef.

This is the CSA nominal webcast schedule should all events go as planned:

Time: (All times are EDT)

- 9:30 p.m. - Webcast begins with pre-event special programming
- 10:00 p.m. - Presentations and live commentary by CSA Astronaut David Saint-Jacques and former CSA Astronaut Robert Thirsk
- 10:31 p.m. - Chris Hadfield's landing in Kazakhstan.
- About 10-15 minutes after landing we should have video of the capsule from NASA TV.
- About 20-30 minute after landing, extraction of the astronauts from the capsule (on NASA TV).

Chris Hadfield Leads Thousands in Song On Music Monday

2013-05-06T19:24:19Z

From a vantage point 400 kilometers above the North Atlantic Ocean, Chris Hadfield lead thousands of Canadians in song today. As part of Music Monday, thousands of Canadians joined Commander Hadfield in singing I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing).

The International Space Station had just passed over the provinces of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador at 12:30 pm.m EDT when Hadfield joined hundreds of students gathered at the Ontario Science Centre via teleconference. CSA Astronaut Jeremy Hansen was present to greet Chris and moderate a question and answer period with Commander Hadfield after the song.

Music Monday takes place the first Monday in May to raise awareness about the importance of music education. Canadians of all ages and singing experience were encouraged to sing the same song at the same time. The song they sang - I.S.S. (Is Somebody Singing), is a song Hadfield co-wrote with Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies. The song was commissioned by the Coalition for Music Education and CBC Music.

Other performances included a song written band performed by Hadfield's brother Dave. He sang "Big Smoke" with a choir from the Chris Hadfield Public School which is located in Milton Ontario.

After five months aboard the ISS, Commander Hadfield is scheduled to return to Earth in one week, on Monday, May 13.

Holly Nimmons, the Executive Director with the Coalition for Music Education and CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen talk with Commander Chris Hadfield. Credit: SpaceRef

Chris Hadfield's brother Dave Hadfield joins the Chris Hadfield Public School choir singing "Big Smoke" - a song Dave wrote for Chris' first space shuttle flight. Credit: SpaceRef

Music Monday activities in the Great Hall at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto. Credit: SpaceRef

Music Monday Showcase with Chris Hadfield and Students Across the Country

2013-05-06T13:01:21Z

A year in the planning and his last public event before returning Earth, astronaut Chris Hadfield today will sing along with students gathered at the Ontario Science Centre for Music Monday. They will perform Is Somebody Singing (I.S.S.), a song Hadfield co-wrote with Ed Robertson of the Barenaked Ladies, which was commissioned by the Coalition for Music Education and CBC Music.

The event which begins at 12:00 p.m. ET will be webcast on the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) web site.

Along with the expected hundred of students at the Ontario Science Centre, hundreds of thousands of students across Canada are taking part in Music Monday to raise awareness about the importance of music education.

CSA Astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be present at the Ontario Science Centre and will moderate the students' questions to Commander Hadfield. For a complete program of the performances, please visit the Music Monday website.

You can use the following link to see which schools across the country are participating in Music Monday.

Original Space Shuttle Canadarm now on display in Ottawa (video)

2013-05-03T13:40:03Z

On May 2, the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, unveiled the permanent Canadarm display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Chris Hadfield assisted in the inauguration of the exhibit from orbit as Commander of the International Space Station - a role made possible due in part to the contributions of the Canadarm.

"This exhibit commemorates an important part of our history in space. The Canadarm is a symbol of our country's ingenuity and expertise in space robotics. It has positioned Canada as a leader in space," said Minister Moore. "Our Government has always been a strong supporter of Canada's space sector and we remain committed to providing our companies with real opportunities to grow, compete and create high-quality jobs for Canadians."

Although the CSA press release states that this arm travelled "624 million kilometres and logged a total of 944 workdays in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour", in fact this arm flew several missions on all of the shuttle orbiters. And the 624 million km refers to the distance flew by all the shuttles carry Canadarms. Several missions did not carry the robotic arm when it was deemed unnecessary for the mission.

The first Shuttle RMS was known within NASA and the CSA as RMS 201. It flew on 23 flights and travelled 150 million km.
It flew on the following shuttle missions:
STS 2 1981 Columbia First RMS flight
STS 3 1982 Columbia First grapple of an object
STS 4 1982 Columbia First military mission
STS 7 1983 Challenger Flight of Sally Ride
STS 8 1983 Challenger First night launch
STS 41-B 1984 Challenger Bruce McCandless MMU
STS 27R 1988 Atlantis Military mission
STS 32R 1990 Columbia LDEF Retrieval
STS 46 1992 Atlantis EUREKA deploy
STS 56 1993 Discovery ATLAS-2/SPARTAN-201
STS 51 1993 Discovery ACTS/SPAS-ORFEUS
STS 60 1994 Discovery Wake Shield Facility
STS 64 1994 Discovery SPARTAN-201
STS 63 1995 Discovery MIR Rendezvous
STS 91 1998 Discovery Final MIR Docking
STS 95 1998 Discovery Flight of John Glenn
STS 113 2002 Endeavour ISS assembly mission 11A
STS 118 2007 Endeavour Flight of CSA astronaut David Williams and Teacher Barbara Morgan
STS 123 2008 Endeavour Dextre deployed on ISS
STS 126 2008 Endeavour ULF-2
STS 127 2009 Endeavour Flight of CSA astronaut Julie Payette
STS 130 2010 Endeavour Tranquility module / Cupola
STS 134 2011 Endeavour Last flight of Endeavour

New Canadarm exhibit is unveiled in Ottawa Credit: CSA

The CSA created an interactive exhibit displaying the Canadarm, which allows visitors to navigate through the history of the robotic arm, including its greatest achievements and how its legacy continues to live on today in medical robots used in neurological and pediatric surgery.

"We invite Canadians to see space history for themselves, and tell their children and grandchildren how proud they were to see Canada on the forefront of global innovation," said Gilles Leclerc, Acting President of the CSA.

"Our Government is proud that the Canadarm, a national icon, is going to be housed within one of our great national museums," said Minister Moore. "We believe strongly in our national museums, and we recognize the tremendous value they hold for all Canadians as guardians of our heritage."

In 2011, the Canadarm wrapped up 30 years of operations supporting the U.S. Space Shuttle Program. The CSA negotiated with NASA the return of this original shuttle robotic arm. Upon its return, the 15-metre arm was sent first to MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) in Brampton, for a thorough evaluation and preparation for its public display.

For other SpaceRef articles on the Canadarm display, see

Original Shuttle Canadarm to be Displayed at Museum in Ottawa

Canadarm Heads Home but How Many Canadians Will See It?

MDA Union Wants Canadarm to be Displayed in a Museum

Canadian Space Agency Requests Proposals To Display Canadarm At St. Hubert Headquarters

The Canadarm Is Returning Home

Endeavour's Canadarm Headed to Ottawa Museum UPDATED

Controlling the ISS

2013-05-02T16:52:40Z

How do you control the International Space Station, a ship the size of five hockey rinks? And from where? CSA Astronaut Chris Hadfield answers these questions from inside the heart of the matter.

Canada's New $5 Bill Unveiled In Space

2013-04-30T20:38:53Z

Canada's new and more secure $5 and $10 polymer bank notes were unveiled today at the Bank of Canada's Ottawa head office, and from aboard the International Space Station. Both of the new notes will begin circulating, at the same time, this November.

Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty, Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney and Paul G. Smith, Chairman of the Board at VIA Rail Canada, were joined via satellite by Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Chris Hadfield, Commander of the International Space Station, to unveil these final two notes in the new Polymer series.

"Canadians can be very proud of their new polymer bank notes," said Minister Flaherty. "With today's unveiling of the final two notes in the series, one can see not only the unique story that each of the five denominations tells, but the unifying theme that underlies them all - the profound courage, determination, and ingenuity of our nation and its people."

The new $5 and $10 notes will carry the same leading-edge security features as the $20, $50 and $100 polymer notes already in circulation. Featuring a sophisticated combination of transparency and holography, this is the most secure bank note series ever issued by the Bank of Canada. The Polymer series is more economical, lasting at least two and half times longer than cotton-based paper bank notes, and will be recycled in Canada.

"The Polymer series notes are at the frontier of bank note technology. The new $5 and $10 bank notes depict the frontiers of our country and our planet," Governor Carney said. "It is fitting that we are today crossing the final frontier for a world first - the unveiling of a bank note from space."
While orbiting more than 350 kilometres above Earth, Commander Hadfield gave Canadians their first look at the new $5 polymer note. It features images of Canadarm2 and Dextre - robotics innovations used to build and maintain the Space Station and that symbolize Canada's ongoing contribution to the international space program.

"I try to inspire young Canadians to aim high. This new $5 bill should do the same," Commander Hadfield said. "By giving prominence to Canadian achievements in space, this bank note reminds us that not even the sky is the limit."
The front of the $5 note features a portrait of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911.

VIA Rail Canada's Paul G. Smith unveiled the new $10 polymer note at the Bank of Canada. The new $10 note features a striking image of The Canadian train journeying through the Rocky Mountains, and represents the enormous feat of engineering that linked Canada's East and West by rail. A portrait of Sir John A. Macdonald, who was Prime Minister of Canada (1867-1873, 1878-1891) at the time of the railway completion, is featured on the front of the note.

"The transcontinental railway helped build modern Canada. On behalf of VIA Rail, I am delighted that this accomplishment, through the use of this iconic image, has been honoured on the new $10 bank note," Mr. Smith said. "Not only did the railway contribute to Canada's economic prosperity by moving people and goods across this vast land, but it also gave Canadians the means to seek new frontiers of their own."

Over the months leading up to the issuance of these notes in November 2013, the Bank will continue to work closely with financial institutions, manufacturers of bank-note-handling equipment and retailers to ensure a smooth transition. Businesses that use note-handling and processing equipment are encouraged to contact their suppliers about machine compatibility and plans for upgrades.
More information on the new Polymer series can be obtained by contacting Jeremy Harrison at 613 782-8782.

High resolution image

Chris' Kitchen: Dessert in Space

2013-04-29T19:02:25Z

Commander Chris Hadfield shares an astronaut's dessert with us. On the menu is floating chocolate pudding cake and coffee--served extra hot! For more about eating in space, see: Eating In Space.