Canadian space companies and their industry partners from Finland have been selected to develop four remote-sensing projects through a unique international partnership that will promote the commercial potential of satellite products and services for both Canada and Finland.

The Earth observation projects will be developed through a Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and National Technology Agency of Finland (Tekes) Memorandum of Understanding.  Signed in 2003, the agreement facilitates cooperation in satellite remote sensing, helping consolidate space-based technological and economic development opportunities between the two nations.

“This novel scientific and commercial collaboration will help both Canada and Finland better understand and monitor our shared northern environment, while fostering sustainable development and enhancing disaster monitoring and ice surveillance for marine navigation,” said CSA President Marc Garneau.

The projects were chosen through the CSA’s Earth Observation Applications Development Program (EOADP) in coordination with the Tekes’ Business Opportunities from Space Technology Program (AVALI) of Finland. The projects will use Earth observation data from one or a combination of images from Canada’s RADARSAT or Europe’s ENVISAT, ERS-1 and ERS-2 satellites as the significant data source forfor the development of applications to support sustainable development, disaster mitigation and navigation of vessels in the dangerous icy waters of the north.

Canadian partners in the four projects include:

Dendron Resource Surveys Inc., Ottawa, ON, http://www.dendron.ca Northern Boreal Forest Information Products Based on Earth Observation Data

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, Richmond, B.C., http://www.mda.ca Multi-polarization SAR for Operational Sea-Ice Monitoring

Noetix Research, Ottawa, ON; http://www.noetix.on.ca Development and Demonstration of Remote Sensing Based Products for Surface Water Management

Vexcel Canada, Ottawa, ON http://www.vexcel.com Applications and Software for Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry, Differential Interferometry and Coherent Target Monitoring

Canada and Finland enjoy an excellent space cooperation relationship. While currently focused in the Earth-observation sector, there are many opportunities to work together through European Space Agency programs and other international initiatives. Canada and Finland contribute to the Swedish ODIN satellite for ozone monitoring, and are exploring further collaboration in atmospheric sciences, including a follow-on to ODIN. Both nations also participate in the Northern View initiative, a “one-stop shop” concept for northern Earth-observation applications within Europe’s Global Monitoring of Environment and Security (GMES) program.

A backgrounder on the projects is available at http://www.space.gc.ca.

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About the CSA

Established in 1989 and with its headquarters situated in Longueuil, Quebec, the Canadian Space Agency is responsible for coordinating all civil, space-related policies and programs related to science and technology research, industrial development, and international cooperation on behalf of the Government of Canada. The Canadian Space Agency directs its resources and activities through four key thrusts: Earth Observation, Space Science and Exploration, Satellite Communications, and Space Awareness and Learning. With the overall responsibility for advancing Canada’s space policy and programs, the Canadian Space Agency leverages international cooperation to champion world-class scientific research and industrial development for the benefit of humanity.

About Tekes

Tekes, the National Technology Agency is the main public financing and expert organization for research and technological development in Finland. Tekes finances industrial R&D projects as well as projects in research organizations. Tekes especially promotes innovative, risk-intensive projects. The primary objective of Tekes is to promote the competitiveness of Finnish industry and the service sector by assisting in the creation of world-class technology and technological know-how. Specifically, Tekes’ activities aim to diversify production structures, increase production and exports, and create a foundation for employment and social well-being. Tekes offers partners from abroad a gateway to the key technology players in Finland.

For more information, please contact:

Nicholas Girard
Media Relations
Canadian Space Agency
Telephone: (450) 926-4370
E-mail: Nicholas.Girard@space.gc.ca

Mira Banerjee (until June 6, 2005)
Communications Manager
Tekes
Telephone: +358 10 521 5712
E-mail: mira.banerjee@tekes.fi

Eeva Ahola (from June 6, 2005)
Communications Manager
E-mail eeva.ahola@tekes.fi