Canada is investing $5.4 million to strengthen climate action through advanced space technology, aiming to improve environmental monitoring and resilience to extreme weather events. Increasingly severe heatwaves, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes are impacting communities, economies, and ecosystems across the country, particularly in the Arctic, where reliable environmental data is essential for adaptation and planning. Satellites play a critical role in providing these insights.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced the funding through two contracts awarded to Quebec-based ABB Inc. and Honeywell’s Canadian operations. These contracts support the High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds (HAWC) satellite mission, specifically advancing concepts and critical technologies for the Thin Ice Clouds and Far InfraRed Emissions (TICFIRE) instrument. The funding will also aid the development of comprehensive system designs and detailed cost assessments.
HAWC is designed to orbit above the Arctic, delivering unprecedented data on polar atmospheric conditions and their effects on Canada’s climate and weather. The mission will enhance forecasting capabilities and help communities across Canada adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Over its lifetime, HAWC is expected to create 160 high-paying jobs while providing opportunities for researchers, engineers, and students to contribute to a project of both national and international scientific significance. The mission also aligns with Canada’s Strategy for Satellite Earth Observation, “Resourceful, Resilient, Ready,” by offering tools to support climate change mitigation, adaptation, and the measurement of key environmental indicators.
Scientifically led by the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), TICFIRE will measure thin ice clouds and far-infrared heat radiation, both vital for understanding how heat escapes from Earth. HAWC will also contribute to the potential NASA-led international Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) mission, targeted for launch in 2031, and will foster collaboration among 14 Canadian universities, Environment and Climate Change Canada, the National Research Council Canada, and Canadian industry.
The mission will further support future talent and scientific initiatives through combined funding from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, strengthening Canada’s position in space innovation, environmental science, and climate resilience.
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