Spotlight on the Space Economy

SpaceInnovationScience
Published on
Chris Hadfield / First Canadian Commander of the International Space Station - Astronaut
Sylvain Laporte / President - Canadian Space Agency
Françoise Gagnon / CEO - ADGA Group
Glenn Mason / Assistant Deputy Minister, Lands and Minerals Sector - Natural Resources Canada

Canada has a long and respected history in space, but we haven’t continued investing to grow our position in this area. With a growing number of nations and private corporations staking their claims in the future of the space economy, and Canada’s recent commitment to the Lunar Gateway programme, this Spotlight explores what Canada and our companies must do to lead in the future space economy.

Key Takeaways & Calls to Action

  1. Public sector involvement in space is required for initiatives that will continue to be non-profitable in the medium term […] and we need the government to continue to set a long-term space plan to show that the bureaucracy and the institutions are committed, and not just on a four-year electoral cycle.
  2. The 2019 Space Strategy has set a vision for Canada’s space program and promised a Canadian contribution to the next large international collaboration in human space exploration: the NASA-led Lunar Gateway.
  3. The Canadian government needs to provide a vision and framework through which the space industry can deliver. It needs to ensure that the space policy framework creates an environment which presents a level playing field for all companies, and stimulates true key industrial capabilities for Canada; intellectual property which resides here, and jobs and profits that remain in Canada. We have proven time and again that Canada has the talent and the desire to innovate in space, so let’s retain that talent.
  4. The real medium-term value of space resources will be in the technological advancements it will bring back to Earth – both in the mining industry and beyond.
Watch and Read the Experts’ Full Interviews:
The Astronaut Chris Hadfield First Canadian Commander of the International Space Station - Astronaut "The global space market is worth over $300 billion, and it is growing fast." The Space Agency Sylvain Laporte President - Canadian Space Agency "Being a full partner in the NASA-led Lunar Gateway will ensure a bright future for Canada’s Space program that includes: leadership in specific technology areas, our astronaut program, Canadian science advancement and socio-economic benefits for Canadians." The Entrepreneur Françoise Gagnon CEO - ADGA Group "It is a real loss to Canada when we lose our top space talent. Those individuals are at the genesis of our  innovation [...] That is our supply chain, that is our source of expertise, so the ability to retain and nurture these individuals is key." The Resource Expert Glenn Mason Assistant Deputy Minister, Lands and Minerals Sector - Natural Resources Canada "If we push the boundaries in space, those technologies can come back and advance our very specific challenges here on Earth."