Saint-Hubert (Quebec) August 15, 2000 -Surendra Parashar, Director of
Satellite Operations at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and Jack Kaye,
Director, Research Division-Office of Earth Science of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), today announced the winning
projects selected for the Application Development Research Opportunity-2
(ADRO) program. Participants selected through this program will be
developing innovative approaches and applications for data acquired by
Canada’s renowned Earth Observation satellite, RADARSAT-1.
“ADRO-2 is building bridges between academic researchers and established
space-based companies and forging alliances with international partners to
enhance our knowledge, expertise and technologies applied to the growing
field of Earth Observation. Canada can be proud of its leadership,
innovation and on-going achievement through RADARSAT 1, in this exciting
field which is expanding the application of science to meet the evolving
needs of humanity,” declared Surendra Parashar.
“By participating in this project, NASA is joining Canada to reaffirm its
continuing commitment to foster the development of new applications in the
field of Earth Observation to further our knowledge and expertise in the
management of our natural resources and the monitoring of our global
environment,” said NASA’s Jack Kaye. NASA will provide research teams with
data and funding, setting aside $2 million per year over two years to
support projects selected through this program.
The Application Development Research Opportunity Program will stimulate the
research community to develop new applications and operational programs that
use Earth Observation data delivered by RADARSAT-1. Through ADRO-2, the
Canadian Space Agency, in partnership with NASA, is encouraging researchers
and industry to build on the existing base of knowledge and expertise to
develop innovative applications that take advantage of the large bank of
archived RADARSAT-1 data.
RADARSAT-1 has been steadily collecting images of the Earth since its launch
in 1995 and now has nearly 100,000 images providing an historical record of
the Earth’s environment. These projects should demonstrate either the
ability of RADARSAT-1 to support disaster assessment or relief efforts, or
apply the use of the Earth Observation data for use in new operational
environments.
About RADARSAT-1
Earth Observation has been a focal point for the Canadian Space Program
since the very beginning. The development of the Synthetic Aperture Radar
technology in Canada not only produced the world’s first digital SAR image
from space in 1978, but also led to the design, deployment, and operation of
RADARSAT-1. Since its launch, RADARSAT-1 has provided Canada and the world
with an operational radar satellite system that has demonstrated its ability
to provide timely and critical data to assist disaster relief and emergency
rescue efforts as well as for renewable and non-renewable resource mapping.
RADARSAT-1 has also proven its worth to scientists and commercial users in
the fields of agriculture, cartography, hydrology, forestry, oceanography,
ice studies, mineral and oil exploration. In cooperation with RADARSAT
International, RADARSAT-1 has already produced mosaics of Antarctica,
Canada, and most recently the United States, with the mapping of Africa
expected to be completed in 2001.
About the Canadian Space Agency
Established in 1989, with its headquarters located in Saint Hubert, Quebec,
the Canadian Space Agency ensures that Canadians in all regions learn and
benefit from the development and application of space knowledge, science and
technology. The Canadian Space Agency supports and promotes a highly
competitive space industry, contributes to the sustainable development of
Canada and the world, and fosters initiatives to increase awareness of the
Canadian Space Program throughout the world.
With almost half of Canada’s GDP growth in the knowledge-intensive sectors
of the economy, the Canadian Space Program is a key driver behind continued
leadership on the world stage. Based on extensive and open consultation with
Canadian stakeholders, opportunities were identified for potential
cooperation with international partners in the areas of: Earth Observation,
Space Science, Human Presence in Space, Satellite Communications and in the
development of Generic Space Technologies. Canadian participation in these
key sectors are providing new opportunities for industry and scientists, and
long-term social and economic benefits for all Canadians.
About NASA
Since its inception in 1958, NASA has accomplished many great scientific and
technological feats in air and space. NASA remains a leading force in
scientific research and in stimulating public interest in aerospace
exploration, as well as science and technology in general, and manages four
large strategic enterprises, consisting of: The Office of Aero-Space
Technology, Human Exploration and Development of Space, Earth Science, and
Space Science. NASA is deeply committed to spreading the unique knowledge
that flows from its aeronautics and space research.
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Backgrounders, project profiles and contacts are available for downloading
at the following address:
http://www.space.gc.ca/whatsnew/releases/backgr/2000/000815.asp Information:
Caroline Lavallée
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Space Agency
Tel (450) 926-4370
caroline.lavallee@space.gc.ca http://www.space.gc.ca David Steitz
Senior Public Affairs Officer
NASA
Tel (202) 358-1730 dsteitz@hq.nasa.gov
