2022–23 Departmental Results Report

Description

The CSA coordinates the space policies and programs of the Government of Canada; ensures that other government departments and agencies have access to space data, information, and services to deliver on their mandates; plans, directs and manages projects relating to scientific or industrial space research and the development of space science and technology; promotes the transfer and diffusion of space technology to and throughout the Canadian industry; and encourages the commercial exploitation of space capabilities, technology, facilities and systems. The CSA also aims to build Canada's capacity and engage the next generation of space scientists and engineers and provides opportunities to inspire young people to develop the required skills and to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Result 1: Canada remains a leading spacefaring nation

The year 2022–23 marked a definitive step towards establishing a permanent presence on the Moon. The Lunar Gateway, led by NASA, represents a crucial advancement in humanity's quest to travel beyond the Moon and onwards to Mars. This space station in lunar orbit will be a rendezvous location for space exploration on the surface of the Moon. Canada's contribution, Canadarm3, is essential to lunar missions: with its highly autonomous robotic system, it will use cutting-edge software to perform tasks around the Moon without human intervention. In 2022–23, Canada advanced the design Canadarm3 to ensure it meets the technical requirements for the Lunar Gateway station. Another benefit to participation in Gateway is access to deep-space science. In May 2022, the CSA also launched the Gateway Science and Technology Utilization initiative for the development of concept studies in preparation of the use of the Lunar Gateway Station. Proposals were evaluated and five concept studies contracts were issued in 2023–24.

In the meantime, the robotic arm Canadarm2 and the versatile handy robot Dextre continued to operate on the ISS, for a combined total of approximately 1,210 active hours. Canadarm2 was used for inspection, capture and berthing of visiting vehicles, as well as for inspections and surveys on the ISS itself. Dextre played an integral role in station maintenance and scientific research. Finally, Canadarm2 was used to support a total of six spacewalks.

As part of Canada's participation in the Lunar Gateway, Canada secured an astronaut flight into deep space on the Artemis II mission, making Canada the first international partner to fly around the Moon, taking humans to their furthest distance yet from Earth. Inspiring Canadians and nourishing national pride, the Artemis II mission will be the culmination of decades-long international collaboration with NASA. Built on the success of the Artemis I flight test, this 10-day mission onboard the Orion spacecraft will further solidify Canada's presence in space and its international position in the space domain. Since this is the first Artemis flight with a crew, the astronauts will play a critical part in validating the concept of operations for future Artemis missions, participating in some test and development activities as well as the formal standalone training and simulations with the flight control team. Canada, as a responsible space nation, is a signatory of the Artemis Accords—a political commitment to conduct deep space exploration safely, sustainably and with full transparency.

Throughout 2022–23, the CSA continued activities with planetary exploration on Mars. The Alpha Particle X-Ray Spectrometer (APXS) instrument has been operating successfully for the past 10 years on the NASA-led Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission. The Curiosity rover, and more specifically the APXS, has been essential in investigating the past and present habitability at the Gale Crater landing site by analyzing samples of the Martian surface. Through the CSA's continued support of APXS, in the last 355 Martian days (365 Earth days), it has investigated 146 scientific targets of interest and has been powered on for 13 days and 20 hours. NASA's MSL mission was extended to March 2026 which resulted in the CSA also extending the contract for APXS science operations to cover MSL Extended Mission 4 and ensure the continuation of APXS's excellent science.

In 2022–23, the CSA incentivized the private sector to develop new products and services for commercial markets in space exploration through the Lunar Surface Exploration Initiative (LSEI). In May 2022, seven contracts for concept studies were awarded to Canadian companies targeting a wide variety of technical areas to determine a suite of potential Canadian contributions to human spaceflight and lunar surface exploration. LSEI's activities ensure that Canada remains a leader in future space exploration ventures with an eye to harnessing space to solve problems on Earth through cross-sectoral collaborations.

In support of Canada's Strategy for Satellite Earth Observation (SEO), the CSA has further enhanced its collaboration and consultation with the national and international Earth observation community. Most notably, the CSA's National Earth Observation (EO) Forum in 2022, with more than 200 participants, engaged wide range of stakeholders and identified three common themes deserving of increased support: fostering collaboration, retaining and developing talent, and improving data access. Forums like these are essential to the CSA's ability to work with domestic and international partners.

Another significant advancement towards the objectives of this strategy is the development of the first Satellite Earth Observation (SEO) Roadmap, a living-document intended to summarize ongoing activities, ensuring a coordinated alignment of Canada's space priorities while also identifying options for future investments with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).

Satellites are not only helpful in monitoring natural disasters in Canada but may also support response to natural disasters worldwide. The CSA is a founding member of the International Charter on Space and Major Disasters and has continued to support its activities in 2022–23. With the RCM being one of the most responsive satellite systems in the virtual constellation of the International Charter Space and Major Disasters, the CSA was able to respond to 95% of requests for assistance by delivering critical data to disaster management authorities in less than four hours after receiving a call for help. These contributions enable the CSA to contribute to SDG 13: take action on climate change and its impacts.

Since its launch in 2001, the CSA has continuously supported Canada's Optical Spectograph and InfraRed Imaging System (OSIRIS), an instrument onboard the Swedish Odin satellite, whose datasets advance Earth system science, our understanding of ozone recovery and the Earth's radiative energy budget, and are key to Canada's contributions to the UN Montreal Protocol on monitoring and safeguarding the ozone layer. In 2022–23, the OSIRIS team published an updated aerosol dataset, as well as the merged SAGE II—OSIRIS—SAGE III/ISS ozone dataset. The open access datasets have been used by over 850 researchers in over 25 countries, resulting in 32 scientific discoveries. Similarly, SCISAT open datasets have been studied by over 650 users around the world used to better understand atmospheric chemistry, which is directly related to climate change.

Solar storms and erratic space weather can be damaging to our technology and infrastructure here on Earth. With that in mind, the CSA continued to support the scientific analysis of data acquired by instruments that observe the region of near-Earth space comprised of the thermosphere, ionosphere, and magnetosphere. In August 2022, an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for a geospace observatory was issued and two major projects were selected: the SuperDARN, a global network of scientific radars that monitors conditions in the near-Earth environment and the Space Environment Canada (SEC), a Canada-wide network composed of over 100 ground-based instruments used for remote sensing of a broad range of ionospheric properties and phenomena.

Furthermore, 13 grants awarded to academia led to advancements in predictive models of the ionospheric and thermospheric space environment and allowed scientists to study the effects of space weather on radio wave propagation and communications over Canada. These analyses benefited Government of Canada departments like NRCan, which operates the Canadian Space Weather Forecast Centre.

Operations of the Near-Earth Object Surveillance Satellite (NEOSSat) are ongoing. The space telescope detects and tracks asteroids, comets, satellites and space debris, contributing to the international effort to catalogue near-Earth asteroids and comets. The CSA also supported five projects through the NEOSSat Science Guest Observation (GO) Program.

Throughout 2022–23, the CSA maintained its space situational awareness services in order to contribute to the sustainability of operations of the space environment. To this end, the CSA continued to operate its space debris Conjunction Risk Assessment and Mitigation System (CRAMS), delivering advanced analyses and collision avoidance strategies for close approaches with 123 Canadian and international satellites.

In 2022–23, CSA further advanced the development of Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat) space and ground segments, preparing for the fabrication and testing phases of the project.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST, also known as Webb), a joint mission with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) was fully commissioned in 2022. In return for Canada's contributions, Canadians scientists have started research on a wide range of astronomical topics, such as extrasolar planets, the evolution and formation of galaxies, galaxy clusters, supermassive black holes, and the life cycle of stars. These projects enable more than 50 Canadian astronomers (i.e., co-investigators, principal investigators, and graduate/undergraduate students) with 26 active JWST grants, to contribute to the four main scientific objectives of the JWST mission. With the Canadian instrument Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) used on the JWST, astronomers are now able to capture infrared light, invisible to the human eye. This is helping scientists in determining if distant planets could be habitable based on whether they have certain molecules like water, carbon dioxide, methane and oxygen in their atmospheres.

The OSIRIS-REx mission is on its way back to Earth carrying a precious sample from asteroid Bennu and is set to land in Utah, USA, in September 2023. Due to its the contribution of the OSIRIS-REx Laser Altimeter (OLA) to the mission, Canada will host 4% of the total sample returned to Earth. In 2022–23, the CSA prepared laboratories for the sample's arrival in Canada, as early as 2024. Through the distribution and study of this sample, this facility will enable a greater understanding of the solar system's history and the origin of life.

One of CSA's objectives for 2022–23 was to involve young Canadians in space-related activities and introduce them to potential space-STEM career paths. In 2022–23, the CSA opened its first Space Brain Hack Challenge, encouraging youth in grades 6–12 to innovate and invent solutions to support astronauts' mental health on Lunar Gateway and Moon-related missions.

In autumn 2022, over 6,985 students across the country in grades 6–8 (aged 11–13) entered the Lunar Rover Research Challenge, a competition centred on planning a rover mission to seek ice deposits on a mock lunar landscape. The winners of the first edition of the Challenge earned the opportunity to command a rover prototype and execute their own mission in a simulated lunar environment. This project is a nod to the Canadian rover that will explore the lunar south pole by 2027 in search of water ice.

The CSA also supported non-profit educational institutions such as the London Regional Children's Museum, which received funding to engage local secondary school students to design and install a hands-on exhibit component to showcase robotics to younger visitors. So far, the project has involved 72 students in grades 9–12 and has produced robust designs for interactive versions of RADARSAT, Dextre, Canadarm and Canadarm2 to add to the Museum's space gallery. The same year, 40 grade 9 students began to create hands-on STEM programming for 400 children aged 4–9 about space technology, lunar missions, technology, and robotics.

Space exhibits at the London Regional Children's Museum

In 2022–23, the CSA continued to implement the Canadian CubeSat Project (CCP), which engages students from post-secondary institutions to explore space through science by designing and building their own miniature satellites. In the second half of 2022–23, six CubeSats were integrated at the CSA and launched to the ISS. Two were deployed into low Earth orbit while the remaining four were to be deployed at a later date. Despite some technical challenges, most teams are now operating their CubeSats and conducting science according to the objectives of their missions. The CubeSats Initiative in Canada for STEM (CUBICS), which is the follow-up to CCP, was launched in September 2022.

Created in 2012 through a collaboration with France's space centre, the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), the CSA's stratospheric balloon program STRATOS was renewed for an additional 10 years in September 2022. The agreement guarantees Canadian academia, industry and other government agencies access to stratospheric balloon platforms for conducting science and technology demonstrations. In August 2022, four zero-pressure balloons carrying six Canadian payloads were launched from the Timmins stratospheric balloon base to test new technologies, conduct science experiments and take measurements.

Through the Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) initiative, the CSA awards several grants every two years to support the research projects of Canadian universities and post-secondary institutions. These research projects contribute to the development of new scientific knowledge and space technologies, while making it possible for students to acquire hands-on experience in space-like missions. More than 65 projects were launched, 17 of which were completed this year.

Initiatives like the CCP, STRATOS and FAST not only provide students with hands-on experience in space-STEM fields, but they also promote skills development, enhance employability, and enrich academic programs.

Result 2: Space information and technologies improve the lives of Canadians

In October 2022, Canada announced that the CSA will take part in the Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) mission led by NASA. Canada's contribution to the AOS is the High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds mission (HAWC), consisting of two Canadian instruments on a Canadian satellite and a third on a NASA satellite. These instruments will provide critical data to support extreme weather prediction, climate modelling, and monitoring of disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, wildfires and extreme precipitation. In 2022–23, Canada supported NASA's successful AOS mission concept review. In collaboration with academia, the CSA continued building the framework for the HAWC mission science and application development, as well as the preparatory work with industry. The data produced by HAWC and AOS will be fully open and accessible to the general public.

In 2022–23, the CSA operated and ensured the performance of the RCM in order to meet the growing needs of the Government of Canada users. In March 2023, RCM reached its one millionth image milestone, an exploit achieved in less than four years from its launch. In comparison, it took 12 years for RADARSAT 1 to reach this accomplishment.

The newly developed RADARSAT Service Desk is a centralized hub that provides useful information relating to past, present, and future RADARSAT missions to the user community. It was deployed in December 2022 for Government of Canada users and upgraded in February 2023 for public users. All categories of users can now apply to become a vetted user and access almost all of the archived RCM data.

The Earth Observation Service Continuity (EOSC) initiative seeks to investigate and articulate cost-effective solutions ensuring synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery service continuity through a balanced portfolio of commercial data sourcing, international partnerships, and maximizing the use of free and open public domain imagery, as well as sovereign capabilities to address the ever-growing needs of Canadians. To support the investigation of solutions, the CSA, supported by key departments, has engaged industry through four concept studies, established the foundations for ongoing and future partnerships with international space agencies, and coordinated numerous comprehensive analyses, all of these activities aim to determine the best way to ensure SAR service continuity post-RCM. Additionally, more than 10 advanced research and development (R&D) projects totalling $10M were awarded to the Canadian space sector. These projects are aimed at enabling the strategic capabilities of the next generation of Canadian satellite.

In line with the Open Government Directive, in 2022–23, the CSA repatriated over 32,000 raw and processed RADARSAT-1 data segments from international stations and delivered them to the Canadian Centre for Mapping and Earth Observation (CCMEO) in order to make them accessible to users.

In April 2022, the Government of Canada's Federal Budget announced funding for a Canadian operational wildfire monitoring system. The CSA has worked closely with the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) to support the development of the WildFireSat mission, a wildfire monitoring system that will use satellites equipped with innovative infrared technology to monitor active wildfires from space. The joint team, which includes the CSA, NRCan and ECCC, has been working in partnership with three contractors to optimize the requirements and explore innovative procurement strategies to produce and disseminate wildfire monitoring products for forest fire management, smoke forecasting and carbon emission monitoring and reporting. This Canadian initiative will enhance Canada's ability to manage wildfires in the country. It aims to monitor all active wildfires in Canada from space on a daily basis. WildFireSat will reduce wildfire losses through more precise wildfire monitoring, improving our ability to make informed decisions about defending communities and avoiding unnecessary evacuations. It will allow us to better protect our resources, infrastructure, and environment by providing better situational awareness, particularly near inhabited areas. It will help reduce health problems associated with smoke and air pollution.

In December 2022, the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) hydrological science satellite, led by NASA and the Centre National des Études Spatiales (CNES) was successfully launched. SWOT ensures that wide coverage from space will provide precise measurements of surface water levels. The CSA contributed a key component to the satellite: a set of extended interaction klystrons (EIKs). This device will amplify NASA's main radar instrument's signal in order to measure the fine details of the oceans' surface topography and how bodies of water change over time.

Monitoring our rivers, lake and oceans

Credit: CNES/David Ducros

Canada has the longest coastline and the largest number of lakes in the world. The SWOT satellite mission ensures wide coverage from space and will soon provide scientists with precise measurements of surface water levels and ocean currents. This means that we will better understand the dynamics of oceans, rivers and lakes, which are important factors for freshwater management and for climate change assessment.

In addition, in 2022–23, CSA renewed the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and ECCC to support SWOT data modelling and instrument deployment, including a major data collection campaign in the St. Lawrence estuary planned for 2023–24. This collaboration with Government departments will be essential for assessing SWOT science data over Canadian waters and future data uses by the Canadian Government. The CSA continues to support four Canadian universities for data analyses as SWOT data becomes available.

The DFO's Dark Vessel Detection program leverages satellite technology, including Canada's RCM to detect otherwise undetectable "Dark" vessels. The platform provides near real-time tracking information to fisheries authorities, which assists them in combatting illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities and in protecting ocean ecosystems. This service highlights Canada's global ocean leadership. Furthermore, this capability supports the UN SDG 14 conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.

In line with the objective of reducing health risks for astronauts during missions, the CSA conducted several experiments and studies on board the ISS. In March 2023, the Vection study was successfully completed. Data collection, both on the ISS and on the ground continued as planned throughout the year for Vascular Aging, Wayfinding and SANSORI. Moreover, two new experiments, CARDIOBREATH and Space Health, which both use the Bio-Monitor system, recruited their first astronaut subjects and executed on-orbit data collection. These studies have the potential to improve health outcomes for Canadians by advancing expertise, technologies, and applications that may improve healthcare on Earth.

Through Health and Life Sciences AO, the CSA established 19 grant agreements with a range of small to large universities across Canada. These studies will advance knowledge of ways to protect astronauts from the health risks of spaceflight.

A bedrest study was completed allowing the testing of a novel exercise protocol for astronauts as a countermeasure to mitigate the effects of an extended duration mission in microgravity. A request for proposal (RFP) was issued, and a contractor was selected to test the protocol with astronauts on the ISS.

Health Beyond aims to collaboratively identify and develop innovative and sustainable medical solutions as part of evolving the healthcare delivery model currently used in low-Earth orbit for deep space. The flagship element of this initiative is the Connected Care Medical Module (C²M²), a modular integrated healthcare solution that can operate in both connected and remote environments. Following a competitive process, five Canadian companies were selected to build prototypes of the C²M². Each company will produce their own versions of a C²M². The CSA is also building relationships with healthcare authorities in Northern and remote communities to define the best approach for demonstrations of healthcare solutions in a remote environment. The unique, isolated, and extreme environment of space provides research opportunities to find innovative solutions to healthcare challenges shared by astronauts and people living in remote communities.

In 2022–23, the CSA along with its partners, the Privy Council Office (PCO) and Impact Canada, continued running the Deep Space Healthcare Challenge. This challenge seeks to create new detection and diagnostic technologies that will help support front-line workers in remote communities in Canada and crews on deep-space missions. Given that remote communities and deep space astronauts face many of the same challenges when it comes to accessing healthcare, advisors from Indigenous Services Canada and the First Nation Health Authority have been involved in the challenge to help innovators understand the needs of Indigenous peoples in remote communities. In April 2023, five teams, including an Indigenous-led organization, were announced as finalists.

The Deep Space Food Challenge seeks to develop food production technologies and systems that can tackle the challenge of food security in rural and harsh environments as well as in deep space. This challenge will build knowledge and create capacity for sustainable agriculture, which is aligned with SDG 2: support a healthier and more sustainable food system. Phase 2 of the challenge was completed in April 2023 and four finalists have advanced to Phase 3.

In 2022–23, there were 101 operational services based on space data offered to Canadians; these services contributed to a plethora of benefits on Earth. For instance, a majority of operational services contributed to the improvement of the protection of natural and built environments, natural resources management, and decision-making and policy development.

Space technologies developed with CSA support can sometimes find applications outside of their initial intended use which, in turn, generates economic benefits and improves the lives of Canadians. For 2022–23, the CSA can report that 41 space technologies and applications were adapted for use on Earth or reuse in space. The majority of reported reuses had an application on earth, while around 25% of reuses found an application in space. The reuses were principally in the environment, telecommunications, aerospace, and healthcare sectors. For example, a wearable physiological monitoring platform was adapted and reused in Northern communities to monitor health conditions and train police officers on interpreting physiological signs of medical conditions.

Result 3: Canada's investments in space benefit the Canadian economy

In 2022–23, the CSA launched another wave of investments through the STDP funding initiative. These investments support the development of Canadian industrial capabilities in space technologies to expand the commercial potential of Canadian space companies and reduce technological unknowns. In 2022–23, 29 Canadian companies received funding for 30 R&D projects and three technology demonstrations in space projects for a total investment of $23M. Furthermore, 34 projects funded in previous years were completed in 2022–23 which enabled Canadian space companies to increase their readiness level and commercial potential.

The LEAP aims to provide opportunities for Canadian scientists and to foster innovative ideas in the lunar context. The scientific and technological advancements stemming from LEAP are expected to generate tangible benefits for the Canadian economy. In November 2022, a Canadian company was selected to build the Canadian lunar rover and develop the Canadian payloads. The lunar rover will be designed to survive the lunar night and to gather scientific data. This data will then be used to help find water ice, a key component needed for the future of human space exploration. It will also allow scientists to better understand the lunar geology and environment.

Support for firm growth and Canadian innovators that wish to go into business, grow their companies, and bring their innovations to markets has been upheld through the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program. In 2022–23, the CSA funded two contracts for the development of prototypes resulting from its first ISC challenge: Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics for Advanced Autonomous Space Systems. Canadian companies will develop software to improve maritime risk awareness and improve systems that optimize the operations and usage of EO satellites.

In 2022–23, the CSA launched three other ISC challenges focused on technologies related to space robotics. The first two, Proximity Sensor System for Space Robotics and Visual AI for Space Robotics Obstacle Detection, were launched in August 2022. The third challenge, AI for Space Robotics Auto-Diagnostics and Early Failure Prediction, was opened in September 2022. The technology advancements produced by these challenges will improve the autonomy of future space robotic systems and could also be applied to other Canadian industries, such as underground mining.

The CSA, through the smartEarth funding activity, has supported the downstream space sector so that it can build its expertise to take advantage of all the opportunities offered through space. The improved accessibility and availability of space data combined with advances in analysis technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, and high-performance computing, creates more opportunities for the development of cutting-edge solutions to address current and future challenges on Earth. The smartWhales initiative is one example. Led by the CSA in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Transport Canada, it is a space-based solution to detect and monitor the presence of North Atlantic right whales and predict the movement in Canadian waters.

Through the "Bridging the Information Gap through Space-based Analysis" AO, which ended in 2022, the CSA has funded 17 Canadian companies to create revolutionary new applications using EO data. These applications promote scientific excellence, economic growth and, job creation and will contribute to prosperity in Canada.

The 21 projects financed through the "Canadian Downstream Space Sector Delivering on Canada's Better Future" AO remain ongoing. This funding stimulates capacity development in the Canadian downstream industry to develop innovative solutions for answering national sustainable development challenges and address complex global transformations, such as technological revolutions, climate change, and environmental degradation.

In November 2022, Canada and European Space Agency (ESA) member states announced new investments during the ESA's Ministerial Council meeting. The Canadian investments, totalling $60M, in selected ESA optional programs will allow the Canadian space sector to participate in world-class missions and activities in Earth observation, satellite communications, navigation, space exploration, space situational awareness, space safety, and general technology development.

The CSA's David Florida Laboratory (DFL) celebrated its 50th year as Canada's world-class assembly, integration and testing centre for spacecraft and flight hardware. In 2022–23, DFL conducted 36 unique tests for various businesses and research institutions in the Canadian space sector. Environmental qualification facility improvements were undertaken to further support Canada's contributions to international partnerships such as the Lunar Gateway and ISS, as well as upcoming CSA projects and commercial satellite programs.

Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)

The Science, Technology and Expertise Development in Academia (STEDiA) initiative supported Canadian post-secondary institutions that offer hands-on experiences in space-like missions to post-secondary students and early-career professionals. This initiative also provided direct support to post-secondary students for careers and professional development opportunities, including space conferences and training. All activities included measures to promote access and participation among students and early-career professionals from all over the country, including women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and visible minorities.

The CSA contracted an Inuit-owned social enterprise to train local technicians and enable Inuit-led operations and research success for the Naurvik project ("the growing place" in Inuktitut). The Naurvik project is a renewable energy plant production facility in Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. These efforts will enable a culturally responsive understanding of food production and food security challenges in Canada's North, and in harsh and isolated locations. The CSA also participated in the Indigenous Mapping Workshop, an annual event aimed to support Indigenous peoples in accessing tools, technology and satellite-based EO knowledge required to map their lands.

In 2022–23, the CSA continued to implement the action plan set out in the Evaluation of the implementation of GBA Plus at the CSA. In particular, the CSA collaborated with Statistics Canada to obtain more disaggregated data on those employed by the space sector. This new information was analyzed and compiled with the disaggregated data already collected through various internal data collections. A disaggregated database was created to centralize the information and increase its visibility. Accessible disaggregated data will increase its utilization within the decision-making process and in turn, increase equity, diversity and inclusion in the space sector. In parallel, the CSA began revising its GBA Plus policy along with its implementation tools, and GBA Plus elements were included in both the Departmental Results Framework and the Performance Information Profiles.

On another front, through the GBA Plus Community of Practise, the CSA has worked to increase awareness of the GBA Plus intersectional design and provide concrete tips and examples on how the space sector can better serve diverse groups of people in Canada. Finally, in 2022–23, intermediate level GBA Plus training was delivered to GBA Plus Sector Advisors.

UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN SDG

In 2022–23, the CSA activities contributed to a wide range of SDGs. This was done primarily through targeted initiatives, such as the Deep Space Food Challenge (SDG 2), the Deep Space Healthcare Challenge (SDG 3), and outreach initiatives like the CCP and CUBICS that provide students with hand-on experience in space-STEM sectors (SDG 4).

The CSA also provided EO data to our partners who, in turn, are using it to monitor and track environmental conditions to inform decision-making and policy in environmental areas (SDG 17). In 2022–23, the CSA initiated the drafting process of its first Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy, which will further outline the CSA's commitment and plans for the SDGs.

Innovation

In 2022–23, the Service and Experimentation Management team continued to implement the "Ideas to Action to Innovation (I2A)" initiative. I2A Space recruited new ambassadors, allowing sharing of diverse experiences, and continued to test new ideas from employees. As part of the implementation of hybrid work, the CSA has also developed several tools to facilitate the transition period. These include the introduction of a chatbot to answer the most frequently asked questions on the future of work.

Key risks

The success of CSA depends on its people, in 2022-23, the CSA has put in place strategies to reduce the negative impact of increased workload on employees. For instance, the CSA used the flexibility given to recruitment including talent management plan and renewed the staffing service agreement with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in order to improve the hiring process. Furthermore, to continue innovating, the CSA has implemented the Strategy on Service and Digital and its pillars are now part of Information Management/Information Technologies (IM/IT) sector's communications. The CSA also led a whole-of-government space-based EO Forum in 2022 to define strategic investments and flexible programming.

Human resources (full-time equivalents)

The following table shows, in full‑time equivalents, human resources the department needed to fulfill this core responsibility for 2022–23.

The positive variance of 43.7 FTEs is mainly due to the hiring of additional staff to support space exploration initiatives, mainly Canadarm3.

Financial, human resources and performance information for CSA's program inventory is available in GC InfoBase.

Contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

The CSA is a Phase 2 organization and is aiming to achieve the minimum 5% target by the end of 2023-24. To that effect, Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB) has been developed, aimed at developing the capacity of Indigenous businesses in the space and R&D sectors.

The CSA Procurement and Contract Administration (PCA) team completed an annual Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Businesses including the use of conditional or voluntary set asides to increase contract awards to Indigenous businesses and Indigenous Participation Plans (IPPs) to grow industry capacity.

To facilitate this plan, updated procurement practices have been implemented internally and include a new process to determine Indigenous capacity and pursue set asides whenever industry availability is identified, and additional stream of data has been collected for more comprehensive reporting and trend analysis in the future.

Furthermore, IPPs were required in all R&D or space project contracts that were enabled through the development of templates for bid evaluation criteria pertaining to IPPs.

Procurement officers received training throughout the year on related activities such as identifying Comprehensive Land Claims Areas and searching the Indigenous Business Directory. They also took part in Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) course offerings.

In addition to these internal changes, the CSA PCA team has committed to sending representatives to Indigenous Services Canada's Reverse Job Fair for Indigenous Businesses in September 2023 and continues to network through CSA's Indigenous Community of Practice to inform and help sectors adopt new practices.

Procurement also added socio-economic benefits, including Indigenous procurement as a priority within its internal governance. The Contracts Review Committee will challenge procurement plans or evaluation criteria that are unduly restrictive as part of their approval process to ensure disadvantaged groups are not facing unnecessary challenges or propose approaches that increase Indigenous participation when suitable. An updated Procurement Framework has also been drafted to reflect socio-economic considerations in procurement and is pending approval.

In 2022–23, CSA awarded 4.87% of contracts to Indigenous suppliers with a total value of $2,265,516. An additional 3% of contracts worth $1,419,941 included clauses or bid evaluation criteria that encouraged Indigenous participation although it did not result in a contract awarded to an Indigenous business^{Footnote 6}. Going forward, the CSA will continue its efforts to support Indigenous business and entrepreneurs.