"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 at UM and lead of the university's Space Technology and Advanced Research Laboratory (STARLab).
Magellan Aerospace and UM, both located in Winnipeg, are partnering on the DND-funded Redwing microsatellite project, valued at $15.8 million. Redwing, designed and built in Canada, aims to monitor objects orbiting Earth, helping to prevent threats to Canada's space infrastructure. Magellan is tasked with spacecraft design, construction, testing, and mission operations. Additional mission partners include ABB Inc., C-CORE, York University, and UM for research and operational support.
In April 2024, Canada's DND expanded the project with a $900,000 contract for a nanosatellite, Little Innovator in Space Situational Awareness (LISSA). This companion satellite will be deployed from Redwing after launch and will enhance space monitoring capabilities by working in tandem with Redwing in orbit.
"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.
Magellan has contracted UM's STARLab to design and build LISSA, which will operate alongside Redwing. LISSA will also provide a target for Redwing's monitoring and imaging systems, while performing its own observational tasks.
Scott McLelland, DRDC's Director of R and D, commented, "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."
LISSA will concentrate on observing satellites over the South Pole, a region where current ground-based monitoring is limited. Dstl will equip LISSA with a short-wave infrared camera, specifically chosen to counteract the reflective interference caused by Antarctic ice and cloud cover, making it easier to detect satellites in the area.
"The collaboration with our Canadian partners will enable us to improve the characterisation of objects and maintain security in space to protect our mutual interests," said Dr. Gemma Bagheri, Dstl Space Research and Development Programme Manager.
Both Redwing and LISSA are scheduled for a 2027 launch, with mission operations handled by Magellan and UM's STARLab. The mission's data will be collected via C-CORE's ground stations and 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 Ferguson.
Related Links
University of Manitoba
Space Technology News - Applications and Research
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