Article from Ottawa Business Journal
By Elizabeth Howell
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Astronaut Steve MacLean's appointment Tuesday as president of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will be a boon for Ottawa's aerospace industry due to his long-standing work in the area, said a representative of the Ottawa Centre for Research and Innovation.
"When I was president of Lansdowne Technologies, we actually did a fair amount of work with the space agency and the astronaut program and Steve," said Mike Darch, the executive director of the centre's marketing group.
Mr. MacLean served as a technical advisor for Lansdowne's next-generation robotic program developed in conjunction with the CSA, Mr. Darch said, adding that the astronaut's presence at the top will boost the profile of Ottawa's aerospace research.
"He is very well-respected in NASA and the international space community. He's held positions within the space program that have put him in touch with a lot of people. He's had a long affiliation and a positive affiliation with Ottawa."
A string of short-term presidents have plagued the agency since 2005. With a permanent head back at the helm of the CSA, Neptec's Iain Christie said he and other Ottawa aerospace industry players are looking forward to more funding and direction from the agency.
"We work very closely with the CSA . . . and our relationship has been great," said Mr. Christie of the situation. He is president of the prime NASA contractor.
"But the thing that has really been missing is some leadership for CSA as an interface to government. What we really need is more government interest in the space sector and what the space industry can deliver - and ultimately, increased funding."
And leadership is what the space industry needs if it is expected to deliver on helping NASA with its plans to return to the moon, or contribute to India's or China's startup space programs, said Ron Kane, vice-president of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC).
"In the absence of a long-term space plan, industry hasn't had the blueprint to make long-term decisions and make the CSA a facilitator for technology development," he said.
"I think (the appointment) is going to spearhead a lot more activity. More business for Canadian space industry, and more jobs across Canada and in the Ottawa environment."
The agency's 2007 budget was $373.5 million - a number that has changed little in recent years - compared with NASA's $17.3 billion.
Mr. MacLean's appointment comes at a time when the Canadian aerospace industry has faced questions about its survival, particularly concerning the near-takeover of aerospace giant and Canadarm creator MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd in April.
American interest in MDA was no surprise to the Ottawa industry, said Mr. Christie, as Canada is a unique among nations as an export-driven aerospace market. At Neptec, only one-sixth of its business comes from inside the Canadian border.
Indeed, Ottawa industry players told OBJ in May that barriers to accessing the lucrative American aerospace market are a continual problem for Canadian firms.
"We're looking to get more support from the way we stand to look at CSA, as a research partner," Mr. Christie said. "What we really want is for that relationship to continue and expand. We want the CSA to help us develop technologies to sell to the world."
In past CSA research partnerships, Neptec developed a sensor system for the Canadarm - which Mr. MacLean tested during his first spaceflight in 1992 - and also a space scanner that searches the shuttle's skin for holes caused by launch debris.
The CSA recently launched the $450-million Radarsat-2, a mapping satellite also created by MDA, and the $200-million Dextre robotic hand for use on the International Space Station.
However, the agency has been struggling for astronauts as well as funding.
Earlier this year, long-time CSA astronauts Dave Williams and Bjarni Tryggvason chose to retire, leaving the agency with four active astronauts. Mr. MacLean's appointment now leaves only Julie Payette, Chris Hadfield and Robert Thirsk as Canadians qualified for flights.
The agency is currently recruiting for two more astronauts - its first such drive in 16 years - with Mr. MacLean heading that effort. More than 5,500 applications were submitted earlier this summer, and preliminary interviews will take place in October.
Mr. MacLean is expected to make "sweeping changes" to the CSA in the coming months, said Industry Minister Jim Prentice in a speech earlier Tuesday.
"As we stand at this crossroads, he will revitalize the agency," Mr. Prentice added.
The former astronaut's experience will likely enable him to bring government and industry together to drive Canada's space industry forward in the next few years, if he receives the support he needs, said Mr. Kane.
"He certainly has been well-respected in the aerospace industry," AIAC's Mr. Kane added.
Mr. MacLean, a Nepean native and one-time professional gymnast, was former chief astronaut of the CSA. He was the second Canadian to walk in space in 2006, and also served on a selection panel for space station crews.