WINNIPEG, May 11, 2018 /CNW/ – Magellan Aerospace (Magellan) announced today, funding of CDN $625,000 for an Industrial Research Chair (IRC) in the area of satellite development, and a further CDN $120,000 contribution towards a second Chair for Design Engineering, both at the University of Manitoba (U of M). Magellan’s Winnipeg division and the U of M have a long and established collaboration and a shared vision to establish a world-leading space capability in Manitoba at the university. The research and development activities of these Chairs are fully funded by industry sponsor(s), the U of M, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC).
Today the U of M announced the two Chairs at a media event held in the Advanced Satellite Integration Facility (ASIF) in Magellan’s Winnipeg facility. The ASIF was built with the support of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), and in partnership with the U of M to create an innovative hub for both industry and academia for the research, development, and construction of satellite buses and components.
The ASIF is both a world-class integration facility and an industry based education and training facility. The IRC in satellite development will establish a research program to investigate innovations in satellite control and environmental protection technologies, which are core capabilities for Magellan and in Canada’s space industry.
The IRC will establish a research program specifically targeted at overcoming the cost and design cycle barriers that prevent the space industry from adopting new satellite technologies. The program will address three key aspects of space systems design: resilient spacecraft control systems, innovative multi-senor data fusion, and smart technologies for harsh space environments to protect spacecraft from launch vibration, space radiation, and micrometeoroids.
Mr. Dave O’Connor, Division Manager, Defence and Space said, “Magellan’s heritage in Canada’s space industry dates back to the early 1960s. Today, as one of Canada’s largest space companies, we are committed to the space sector in Manitoba and Canada. Our space strategy is aligned with our federal government’s priorities in the areas of innovation, sustainability and climate change, defence and security, safety and sovereignty, and education and youth,” he concluded.