Table of Contents

Science

Joint Committee on Space Astronomy (JCSA)

Summary of meeting held on November 25, 2006, Montréal, QC

The meeting was held a day after the first Canadian Space Astronomy Workshop (CSAW) held at the Canadian Space Agency.

Membership: Current membership list can be viewed at
www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/sciences/committees-jcsa.asp

Discussion on CSAW outcomes:

Overall, the JCSA was extremely pleased about the first Canadian Space Astronomy Workshop (CSAW, held just prior to the JCSA meeting), at the CSA headquarters on November 23 and 24. Details about the event and the workshop program can be found at www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/events/2006/csaw.asp. A summary report of the workshop results is available on this website. Advice was given to CSA on how to improve future CSAW.

Meet Space Technologies Project Manager in Science and Exploration Technologies:

The JCSA invited Michel Doyon, project manager in science and exploration technologies in the space technologies branch of the CSA to give an overview presentation on the CSA space technology program. JCSA and CSA recognized the need and benefits of expanding the technology applications of space science to the space technologies programs. JCSA commended the CSA initiative of a future joint AO/RFP between space science and space technology.

Meet Planetary Exploration Program Scientist:

Dr. Vicky Hipkin, program scientist in planetary exploration with space science, was invited by the JCSA to give a rapid overview of the planetary exploration program at CSA and to provide an update on the CSA space exploration program. JCSA agreed that it would be beneficial to recognize the overlap in certain disciplines and forge stronger links between the planetary exploration and astronomy communities. It was even suggested to hold, if possible, JCSA and SEAC meetings back-to-back to foster communication.

Meet Space Awareness and Learning Program Manager:

Marilyn Steinberg, program manager in space awareness and learning, was invited to give an overview of the space awareness and education activities at the CSA. It was pointed out during the discussion that the International year of astronomy is coming up in 2009. It would be a good opportunity to work together on this, as this is relevant to scientific literacy.

Meet with NSERC:

Norman Marcotte (Director, Research Grants and Scholarships Directorate) from NSERC kindly accepted to represent NSERC on behalf of Dr. Samir Boughaba. JCSA members were pleased by the presence of an NSERC representative at the meeting. The mechanism of envelope funding was discussed in detail and it was recommended to CASCA to further investigate possibilities offered by an envelope funding mechanism to support science exploitation of space astronomy missions.

Space Science Updates:

It was stressed by the CSA that Space Science grants and contributions program will need to be renewed in 2008 and it is important for JCSA to rapidly provide input to CSA on this program. It was also noted that the Conference Support program has been suspended temporarily due to a lack of resources. JCSA reiterated that the Space Science Fellowships program should be open to international participants. It was also recommended to CSA that the awarding of the supplements to postgraduate scholarships should be synchronized with NSERC awards.

AO Issues:

It was recommended to that the CSA implements an AO plan on a timely basis (as presented during the CSAW) and to make this plan available on the CSA website as soon as possible.

Mission Updates and Recommendations:

No major outstanding issues were reported on any of the current space astronomy projects or activities supported by CSA. To promote efficient reporting, JCSA recommended that a common report template be developed and used, which should be submitted well ahead of time. It also recommended that CSA provide independent assessment of missions to JCSA ahead of JCSA meetings.

CASCA update:

It was recognized that the CSAW was only a first step towards providing input to the LRP. It would be premature for the community to start lobbying before space astronomy projects have been identified. If the LRP process is important in support of lobbying, a suite of space astronomy projects should be identified by early 2009. There should be a series of town hall meetings to insure community input in the selection of high priority space astronomy projects. JCSA urges CASCA to organize a town hall during the next CASCA annual meeting (June 2007) that would include an opportunity to present single slide presentations on potential future space astronomy projects along with a special poster session. It was also recommended that the dates for next CSAW be announced at this time.

Dates for Next Meeting:

Tentative dates for the next meeting: Afternoon of June 4 and morning of June 5 before the CASCA meeting to be held at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario.

Further details relating to the above can be obtained from members of the committee or Dr. Jean Dupuis, Scientific Secretary to the committee (jean.dupuis@asc-csa.gc.ca).