Canada's areas of action in ESA programs
Please note that this page will be updated in the coming weeks, after the ESA Ministerial Council Meeting at the end of .
Canada currently participates in several programs of the European Space Agency (ESA), in the fields of satellite communications (telecommunications), Earth observation, exploration, navigation, generic technology and industry development, and space safety.
- Satellite communications
- Earth observation
- Exploration
- Navigation
- Technologies and Industry Development
- Space Safety
Satellite communications
Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) 4.0 Program
The ARTES 4.0 Program (successor of the ARTES Program) encompasses all v satellite communications activities. It transforms research and development investments into successful commercial products. This helps secure the future of Europe and Canada in the worldwide satellite communications market.
Earth observation
Copernicus Space Component Program
The Copernicus Space Component Program (previously known as the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security Space Component Program) provides accurate, timely and easily accessible space-based information to improve the management of the environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change, and ensure civil security. The program consists of a growing constellation of satellites known as the Sentinel satellites, offering long-term coverage of the environment.
Future Earth Observation (Future EO) Program
The Future EO Program, formerly the Earth Observation Envelop Program, is the backbone of ESA activities in the field of Earth observation. This program involves a diverse series of innovative instruments and missions, known as the Earth Explorer missions. These have been designed and readied for flight with the intention of targeting specific scientific and monitoring challenges of the Earth system.
Canada is taking part in five key missions of the European Earth Watch Program. First, the ALTIUS mission aims to develop a limb sounder (primary mode) for monitoring 3D distribution and evolution of the stratospheric ozone. Second, the Arctic Weather Satellite aims to develop a prototype satellite for a future constellation of weather satellites to monitor the polar regions. This will provide long-term datasets to improve weather forecasting and modelling of climate change in vulnerable locations. CLIMATE-SPACE aims to extend and improve global records of essential climate variables to support climate science and policy. INCUBED is ESA's Earth Observation (EO) commercialisation programme that supports industry-led innovation and de-risking on new EO products, services and technologies. It operates through Developments, Partnerships and Ambassadors to drive competitiveness, collaboration, and market adoption. Finally, ESA's DIGITAL TWIN EARTH programme uses EO assets to build a collaborative Digital Twin of the Earth for research and smart application development.
European Resilience from Space
To respond to increasingly complex and unpredictable crises, ESA is proposing a new agency-wide initiative: European Resilience from Space (ERS). This initiative will address critical gaps in Europe's ability to manage crises, particularly those triggered by rapidly escalating geopolitical threats. An integrated system-of-systems architecture structured around three interconnected pillars is proposed.
Exploration
European Exploration Envelop Program (E3P)
E3P brings together all ESA space exploration efforts and covers three exploration destinations, i.e. Low Earth Orbit (LEO), the Moon, and Mars. It is structured around four cornerstone mission campaigns:
- Humans in LEO;
- Humans beyond LEO;
- Lunar robotic exploration; and
- Mars robotic exploration.
Each campaign enables comprehensive scientific activities (SciSpacE) while future developments are supported by technology innovation preparatory activities (ExPeRT). Canada participates in all E3P elements – except for the International Space Station and Gateway, where Canada maintains its own national program.
Navigation
Navigation Innovation and Support Program (NAVISP)
In a world where satellite-based positioning, navigation and timing services are key enablers – underpinning everything from automated drones to precision farming to electricity grids and financial networks – NAVISP supports novel ways of making these services more robust and reliable.
FutureNAV
The FutureNAV programme involves in-orbit demonstrations of innovative Satellite Navigation or Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technologies. It enables ESA to respond timely and effectively to PNT market needs and opportunities enabled by emerging technological trends, within a long-term planning horizon, ensures that Europe secures critical capabilities and industry readiness for future challenges in the space-based PNT field, and reinforces its leadership in this sector.
Technologies and industry development
General Support Technology Program (GSTP)
The GSTP aims to convert promising engineering concepts into a broad spectrum of mature products – everything from individual components to subsystems up to complete satellites – right up to the brink of spaceflight or beyond.
Accelerating Commercialisation and Competitiveness of the European Space Sector (ACCESS)
The ACCESS Programme is targeted at growing Canada's commercial space sector through supporting companies at every stage in their journey towards commercialization, with the view to diversifying the Canadian space ecosystem and ensuring that ESA programs can fully benefit from the innovation and dynamism brought by companies, ranging from startups to established players.
Space Safety
The Space Safety Program aims to protect Earth, humanity, and assets in space and on Earth from hazards originating in space. Canada participates in the Core Capabilities and Small Missions (COSMIC) activity area and the Active Debris Removal & In-Orbit Servicing (ADRIOS) activity area.
Contact
Should you have any questions about the cooperation between Canada and the ESA, contact us at esa_programme-esa_program@asc-csa.gc.ca.