MARMOTSat takes flight: University of Victoria CubeSat launched into space
The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is supporting three new projects aimed at making Canada's space sector more accessible and inclusive. Together, they will create learning, mentoring and hands-on training opportunities for post-secondary students from underrepresented groups, helping prepare the next generation of space professionals across the country.
- The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (British Columbia) will receive $20,000 for Sky Stories, Space Futures, a project that will create and offer Indigenous-led workshops for post-secondary learners. By connecting Indigenous knowledge of the night sky with modern space science, the workshops aim to introduce participants to careers in space, technology, climate monitoring, and the responsible use of space-based services.
- The Pulsar Institute (Nova Scotia) will receive $50,000 for its Space LaunchPad, a national program that provides post-secondary students with online sessions, skills-based workshops and an in-person weekend event. The program helps participants explore careers in the space sector, with at least 75% of participants coming from groups that are underrepresented in the industry.
- York University (Ontario) will receive $50,000 for Advancing EDI in Space by Inclusive Recruitment and Retention. The project will support women, visible minority students and persons with disabilities through training in space robotics and human spaceflight. Activities will include mission-style challenges, hackathons, mentorship, career panels and an Inclusive Space Training Toolkit that will be made available to universities across Canada.
These projects support the CSA's goal of helping build a space workforce that reflects Canada's diversity. By making space learning more accessible and relevant, they will help prepare a wider range of talented individuals to take part in future space missions, research and innovation.