St. John’s, Newfoundland, February 16, 2001) The Honourable Brian Tobin,
Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency,
today announced the awarding of a $1.3 million contract to C-CORE, an
engineering research and development corporation affiliated with Memorial
University of Newfoundland.

“C-CORE is providing opportunities for graduate research to students of
Memorial University. This helps make Canadian companies become more
innovative and competitive in the global marketplace by adapting
leading-edge space technologies and driving Canadian innovation in the
development of smart robotics and sensors,” said Minister Tobin to an
audience of industry and academic leaders as well as space agency partners
on the campus of Memorial University.

C-CORE uses technologies from the Canadian and European space programs to
develop robots that operate in deep mines, locate pipeline movement in
remote areas and supports new ventures in the forestry sector, among other
projects. The $1.3 million contract awarded to C-CORE, under a program
sponsored by the European Space Agency, will enable the consortium to carry
out Phase 3 of their Harsh Environments Initiative (HEI) first launched by
C-CORE in 1997. This initiative links a network of companies and
institutions in Canada and Europe that are adapting leading-edge space
technologies for use in harsh environments like underground and underwater
operations.

“C-CORE has been successful in obtaining international support for the Harsh
Environments Initiative. This is helping us achieve the goal of transferring
the products of space research and development to industrial and commercial
exploitation in Earth’s Harsh Environments.”, said Judith Whittick,
President and CEO of C-CORE.

This third contract awarded by the European Space Agency to C-CORE under
their Harsh Environments Initiative clearly demonstrates the very tangible
benefits of international cooperation flowing from the membership of Canada
in the European Space Agency and the impact of the Canadian Space Program on
the economy.

Canada and the European Space Agency

Supporting the Canadian Government strategy to strengthen cooperation with
Europe in critical areas of science and technology, the Canadian Space
Agency and the European Space Agency, in June 2000, renewed a Cooperation
Agreement for a term of ten years. Through this Cooperation Agreement with
ESA, in exchange for an average annual contribution of around $25 million by
the Canadian Space Agency ($5 million general contribution and $20 million
earmarked for specific programs), Canadian industry may bid for, and
receive, contracts to work in programs of interest.

Canada participates in ESA deliberative bodies, decision making and actively
takes part in programs and activities. The Cooperation Agreement contains
specific guarantees to ensure a fair industrial return to Canadian industry
in ESA activities and programs in which Canada participates. Canada has been
cooperating with the European Space Agency since 1978.

About C-CORE and the Harsh Environments Initiative (HEI)

Embracing a wide spectrum of engineering and business skills, C-CORE works
closely with industrial partners to develop technologies and solutions for
complex engineering challenges facing resource-based industries.

The HEI offers numerous benefits to companies seeking to improve their
competitive position within their industry. Access to advanced technology
and opportunities to develop innovative products and expertise through
collaborative partnerships provide organizations with the resources needed
for growth. An extensive North American and European Network provides
opportunities for companies to expand into new markets and to form
partnerships and to collaborate with like-minded companies.

The HEI also provides opportunities for space-capable small-and-medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) to expand into non-space markets. Benefits are
distributed among space-capable SMEs and sponsors of space technology
development. Space-capable SMEs will develop new expertise, create niche
markets for their products or services and establish collaborative ventures
with foreign partners to address a global market. For more information
please visit: http://www.c-core.ca

About the Canadian Space Agency

Established in 1989 and situated in Saint-Hubert, Quebec, the Canadian Space
Agency (CSA) coordinates all aspects of the Canadian Space Program. Through
its Space Knowledge, Applications and Industry Development business line,
the CSA delivers services involving: Earth and the Environment; Space
Science; Human Presence in Space; Satellite Communications; Generic Space
Technologies; Space Qualification Services and Awareness. The Canadian Space
Agency is at the forefront of the development and application of space
knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and humanity. For more information:
http://www.space.gc.ca

About ESA

The European Space Agency is an international organization established in
1975 to provide for and promote, for exclusively peaceful purposes,
cooperation among European states in space research and technology and their
space applications. ESA has 15 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Finland,
France, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Canada takes part in some
projects under a cooperation agreement. Information on ESA may be found at:
http://www.esa.int.

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Information:

Anna Kapiniari

Manager, Public Relations and Media

Canadian Space Agency

Tel: (450) 926-4350

E-mail: anna.kapiniari@space.gc.ca