Mr. Corey Mack reports

MICROSATELLITE PROJECT TO MONITOR OBJECTS IN SPACE OVER CANADA, SOUTH POLE

An exciting new satellite project to monitor and protect the Earth's orbital environment is under way. The University of Manitoba (UM) and Magellan Aerospace Corp., in collaboration with Canada's Department of National Defence (DND) science and technology organization, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), and the United Kingdom's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), are working together to make it a reality.

"With new launch companies providing unprecedented access to space, we need to research and develop new ways of monitoring space objects from small spacecraft to prevent collisions and to maintain space sustainability for the entire planet. This is a challenge of global scale, requiring international collaboration between industry and academia," said Philip Ferguson, associate professor, department of mechanical engineering and lead of UM's Space Technology and Advanced Research Laboratory (STARLab).

Magellan and UM, both based in Winnipeg, Man., are currently partnered on the DND-funded Redwing space domain awareness microsatellite project. Redwing is a research and development (R&D) microsatellite, valued at $15.8-million, that is being designed, built and operated in Canada. Redwing will monitor objects orbiting Earth to help reduce future risks to Canada's space infrastructure from space debris or human-caused interference. Magellan is responsible for designing, building and testing the Redwing spacecraft as well as for mission operations. Other Redwing mission partners include ABB Inc. (main optical payload), C-Core (operational support), as well as York University and UM (R&D support).

In April, 2024, Canada's DND signed a contract option with Magellan for $900,000 to add a companion nanosatellite to the Redwing mission. The nanosatellite, known as Little Innovator in Space Situational Awareness (LISSA), will be integrated with the Redwing satellite and will be deployed from Redwing some time after launch, once the two spacecraft have achieved an orbit at the designated altitude.

"Collaborations between industry, academia and government are the foundation of innovation in the space sector. These partnerships merge cutting-edge research with industry expertise, accelerating advancements that will shape the future of space exploration, and will cultivate the next generation of space professionals. By working together on LISSA and Redwing, we can yield superior results in space domain awareness that would be impossible in isolation," said Corey Mack, Magellan's director of engineering and space systems.

Leveraging the expertise provided by Mr. Ferguson and UM's STARLab, Magellan is contracting the design and build of LISSA with UM. LISSA will follow in the same orbit as Redwing, operating some distance from it in a tandem in-track formation. In addition to performing its own observations, LISSA will serve as a convenient nearby object with which to exercise Redwing's own monitoring and imaging capabilities.

"The space domain continues to change and evolve and requires space-faring nations to innovate to keep informed of the security situation in the space domain. DRDC is thrilled to have DSTL participate in the Redwing mission to help grow both nations' defence space programs," said Scott McLelland, DRDC director of R&D for the Defend North America strategic focus area.

LISSA will focus on observing satellites as they pass over the Earth's south pole, a region that is not well covered by ground-based space surveillance sensors. Reflected light from ice and clouds during the Antarctic summer presents a significant technical challenge when imaging other space objects in visible light. For this reason, the United Kingdom's DSTL is providing a short-wave infrared camera to be hosted on the LISSA nanosatellite, which will be less impacted by light scattered from the ice sheet. Also, many satellite materials are more reflective in the short-wave infrared increasing the likelihood of detecting them.

"The collaboration with our Canadian partners will enable us to improve the characterization of objects and maintain security in space to protect our mutual interests," said Dr. Gemma Bagheri, DSTL space research and development program manager.

Both Redwing and LISSA are expected to launch in 2027. Both satellites will be operated by Magellan with support from UM's STARLab, communicating through ground antenna stations owned by C-Core in Inuvik, NWT, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Nfld. Mission data will be analyzed by DRDC and DSTL.

"Research partnerships are critical to the future of the global space industry. This project between the UM, Magellan, DND and DSTL will create sustainable technologies for the next generation of satellite missions," added Mr. Ferguson.

About Magellan Aerospace Corp.

Magellan Aerospace is a global aerospace company that provides complex assemblies and systems solutions to aircraft and engine manufacturers and defence and space agencies worldwide. Magellan designs and manufactures aeroengine and aerostructure assemblies and components for aerospace markets as well as advanced proprietary products for military and space markets and provides engine and component repair and overhaul services worldwide. Magellan is a public company whose shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, with operating units throughout North America, Europe and India.

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