Canadians have always had a pioneering spirit. We’ve explored our country and our planet, and now we’re exploring space. Read more about Canada’s amazing contributions to space research and discovery:
• the Canadarm and Canadarm2, essential tools for the space shuttle program
• the Alouette I ionospheric research satellite, the first satellite ever built outside of the US and USSR to make it into orbit
• James Chamberlin and Owen Maynard, who went from the collapse of Avro to engineering key components for NASA’s Mercury,  Gemini, Apollo and Shuttle programs
• Canada’s commercial satellite industry is born with the Canadian launch of the world’s first communications satellite
• Robotic technology developed in Canada helped the shuttle program return to flight in 2005
• Dr. Gerry Bull, the Canadian defence scientist spearheaded the High Altitude Research Project which studied the use of cannons to launch satellites in the 1960s
• Ionospheric research by Canadian scientists improves radio communications in the far north
• Julie Payette and Chris Hadfield’s essential role in the construction and research work on the International Space Station
• Marc Garneau, former head of Canada’s space program, is setting his sights on Canadian technology and a mission to Mars.