Longueuil, Quebec — The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry and
Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency, today announced an
investment of $10.3 million in 36 research and development contracts awarded
to Canadian industry for the design of new space technologies and
applications.

“The investments announced are crucial for supporting Canada’s leadership
position in niche markets such as robotics, remote sensing, satellite
communication components, and radar, and for making groundbreaking
technologies market-ready. These are technologies that respond to Canadian
needs and those of our international partners,” said Minister Bernier.
The contracts were awarded through the CSA’s Space Technology Development
Program (STDP). The 36 companies will develop a range of innovative space
technologies, including:

* Guidance, navigation and control software to improve the autonomy, safety
and reliability of space systems;

* Refinements of a new satellite concept for sensing land surface types,
which could be used for studying the environment and monitoring our natural
resources;

* Near instantaneous distress alerts to reduce Search and Rescue response
times, even in the far North;
and

* A feasibility study for an instrument that measures water content of soil
without touching it, which could be used for exploration of Mars or other
planets.

Investment in long-term space technology research and development is key to
the success of the Canadian space industry in the next decade. This support
maintains a level playing field, since other countries invest heavily in
their own areas of industry expertise and technologies are evolving quickly.
For a list of companies that have been awarded contracts, please consult the
backgrounder at
   http://
www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/media/backgrounders/2007/0110.asp

About the Space Technology Development Program (STDP)

This Canadian Space Agency program promotes the design and development of
innovative technologies in Canada to maintain our nation’s position as
leader in space technology. The technologies it supports take full advantage
of the capabilities of the Canadian space industry and are strongly linked
with the future needs of the Canadian Space Program.

For more information:

Isabelle Fontaine
Office of the Honourable Maxime Bernier
Minister of Industry
Telephone: (613) 995-9001
Julie Simard

Canadian Space Agency
Media Relations
Telephone: (450) 926-4370