Forty-two years ago, a remarkable event took place. This event shattered paradigms, transformed lives, changed the world forever . . . and it all started with a faint "beep, beep, beep." With the launch of Sputnik I on October 4, 1957, the space age began, inciting a whole generation of Canadians to look to the skies for inspiration. A new frontier was opened, giving us a venue in which to challenge ourselves, extend our technological ability, and reach for the future. The result? A long line of Canadian space initiatives that quietly but steadily increased the quality of space technology, advanced our knowledge of space and the Earth, and most importantly, improved the way Canadians live their day to day lives.

In 1989, the Canadian Space Agency was established. However, Canada's presence in space began much earlier when it launched Alouette, a research satellite, in 1962. At the time, it was only the third country in the world to design and build its own satellite. Canada has remained a leader in satellite technology ever since. Ten years after Alouette, Canada became the first country in the world to have its own commercial communications satellite network (Anik A1). The Hermes project, a joint venture between Canada and the US in 1976, served as a prototype for direct-to-home broadcasting. With the introduction of RADARSAT-1 in 1995, Canada has also become a leader in satellite Earth Observation. The success of this program has brought innumerable benefits for Canadians, translating into new jobs, a reduction in government spending, and cost-effective services for the public.

The applications of RADARSAT technology are many. Images acquired from this satellite have done everything from rescuing stranded cruise ships, to assessing flood damage, to providing humanitarian aid for the United Nations. Its technology has proved an invaluable asset for many organizations, most notably the Canadian Ice Service (CIS). Using satellite data, the CIS is expected to save $15 million over five years, and their Arctic Winter Atlas will provide the Coast Guard, commercial shippers, fisheries, and oil exploration teams with fifteen times the coverage at less than half the cost. RADARSAT is making navigation in Canadian waters faster and safer, saving ship operators both time and money. A great tool for environmental protection, satellite images have aided in clean up efforts after several oil spills and helped environmental organizations monitor the effects of deforestation in South America. Its data also showed the extent of the flooding along the Red River two years ago. Responsive to Earth's surface features, RADARSAT has helped oil and gas exploration companies find potential areas to mine, overseen forest operations, assessed cultivated areas and helped forecast agricultural yields. With another RADARSAT satellite ready to launch in the new millennium, Canada is sure to keep its niche among the foremost providers of Earth Observation information.

Canada's role in space does not end with satellites. Seven Canadian astronauts have journeyed into the final frontier, with more scheduled to blast off in 1999. With them, our astronauts have taken Canadian-led experiments, labs, and inventions . . . not to mention a thousand baby starfishes, some maple sugar candies, and a guitar. Canada's astronaut program has given Canadian scientists a unique environment in which to perform experiments, providing imagined, and unimagined benefits for Canadians. One such experiment took place during Canada's second foray into space. Filling in for UBC scientists, Roberta Bondar examined ways to increase the effectiveness of cell separations. This is hoped to enhance the purity of cells used in transplants. On Marc Garneau's second journey into space he performed a Canadian-led experiment called the Commercial Float Zone furnace. The objective of this experiment was to create perfect semiconductors, free of impurities and internal distortion. Semiconductors are used to make computer chips, essential components in personal computers, fax machines and cell phones. Their quality is limited on earth, but in the gravity-free world of space, the creation of flawless lattice work is possible. This better facilitates electron-flow, making faster, more powerful, and more reliable computers.

In Robert Thirsk's mission, astronauts studied why human bodies degenerate in space. Experiments such as these are necessary before we attempt longer trips into space, but they have practical benefits for people here on Earth too. The same muscles that atrophy when subjected to prolonged exposure to zero-gravity also decay in old age. Bone loss observed in astronauts is similar to the earth-bound affliction of osteoporosis. Understanding these phenomena may help us learn more about how we age . . . and how we can keep ourselves young. On Bjarni Tryggvason's flight in 1997, the Canadian Microgravity Isolation Mount (MIM) was tested. With it, a series of experiments were conducted to help scientists understand the effect of vibrations in space, thus contributing to the development of products in the areas of industrial alloys and optical fibers for telecommunications. The latest Canadian to reach for the stars was Dave Williams. His mission, named Neurolab, was dedicated to the study of life sciences and the effects of weightlessness on the nervous system, in particular, the causes of motion sickness. Sleep experiments also done on board should help scientists study the role of new sleep medications, aiding shift workers, travelers, and patients suffering from sleep disorders. Each time we journey into space, our knowledge grows exponentially. The hope and pride it brings to our country is no less important. As Marc Garneau put it, "[Spaceflight] changes your whole perspective on life. It changes you as a person, and somehow the things that were major irritants and factors in your life when you were on the ground are no longer so important. You tend to think about the big picture now, and that's a major transformation."

The payoff of space travel is not just measured in scientific knowledge, though. As Robert Thirsk floated over the South American continent, he witnessed the depletion of the rainforests from a bird's eye view, and for the first time realized how thin our atmosphere truly is. An awareness of the preciousness of the earth such as this could help us better protect Canada's fragile ecosystems. Images of our blue oasis home cannot help but incite Canadian youth to take better care of the environment . . . or at least want to see the view for themselves. In the 1996/97 school year more than sixty thousand Canadian students got the chance to grow canola seeds flown on board Columbia with Dr. Thirsk. His fascination with space began while listening to John Glenn's historic flight on the radio in his grade three classroom. It would be fitting if other young Canadians were inspired to greatness by his flights. As Dr. Donald Brooks, a scientist from UBC has stated, astronauts, shuttle missions, and the space station are invaluable simply in the way that they ". . . fire the imagination and turn kids on to science. I feel I can justify my entire involvement on that basis alone."

It seems hard to imagine, but these astronauts owe their amazing, life-changing experiences in space to a humble (though not entirely simple) arm. The success of the Canadarm, Canada's most famous contribution to the space program, gave us a worldwide reputation as a leader in the field of robotics, but also led NASA to invite Canadians on board the shuttles. Since its first trip on board Columbia in 1981, the Canadarm has proven its worth countless times. As the world gets set to build the International Space Station (ISS), our expertise in robotics is again needed. Canada is now contributing a more sophisticated version of the Canadarm to the ISS, the Mobile Servicing System (MSS). Astronauts will be able to use the MSS to assemble the station, repair and replace its components, and manouevre delicate payloads, while remaining safely inside the Station. In exchange, Canada earns the right to use it for scientific and technological research. In the microgravity conditions of space, Canadian scientists can monitor the earth's environment, develop new materials and medicines, conduct research into the behavior of living things, and explore distant universes. As a part of the ISS, Canada will be able to participate in one of the grandest ventures ever undertaken by humanity.

The mission of the Canadian Space Agency is a simple one - "to promote the peaceful use and development of space for the social and economic benefit of Canadians." This mandate is actively being fulfilled. Companies are utilizing space station technology in fields as diverse as medicine, agriculture, travel, and toxic waste disposal. Microgravity crystallization is helping breast cancer researchers better understand the disease, while a new treatment for diabetes may be achieved by encapsulating pancreatic cells in space. Sensitive space arm technology is being put to work to control prosthetic hands for children. Space vision technology has been adapted to give farmers a new tool in the fight against weeds, an automated sprayer that detects weeds. This greatly reduces the amount of herbicide/pesticide use, and results in a lower cost and better health for farmers. The Shell Smart Pump, a refueling robot designed for the convenience and safety of motorists was also developed using space technology, as was the testing of new microwave landing systems for airports. Canadian space know-how is helping to keep toxic waste storage sites clean by using robots to monitor them. As Canada's science and technology grows stronger and more versatile, our economy gets stronger, and concrete solutions for many of mankind's problems are being found.

Alouette, the Canadarm, Marc Garneau . . . these words conjure up proud images of Canada's role in space. But there are other important projects underway that many Canadians don't even know about. For example, the Canadian-developed Measurements of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT), on board NASA's "Mission to Planet Earth," provided information on the levels of CH4 and CO in the atmosphere. Recently, the Canadian Space Agency announced its intentions to launch SCISAT-1, an all- Canadian satellite dedicated to the study of global ozone depletion. These are just two examples of the role space can play in environmental protection, demonstrating Canada's commitment to the health of our planet.

Our future lies in space. Space is not an abstract concept, a useless enterprise, or a drain on our economy as some might suggest. It is in fact quite the opposite, an engine that drives the economy, science, and the hopes and dreams of countless Canadians. By striving to meet the challenges space confronts us with, we gain much. We become more scientifically and technologically advanced, but more importantly, we learn how to understand ourselves and our planet, how to work together, and how to appreciate our fragile home. Because we are human, because we love to explore and experience new things, we will go to space. Canada's participation in the space program now is an investment, not of money, but of knowledge, technology, and understanding . . . an investment in the future. A safe, secure, prosperous future is what everyone wants. And thanks to Canada's dedication to the space effort, Canadians will have that future.

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