Description of ISU:
The International Space University (ISU) is an institution dedicated to the peaceful,
prosperous and boundless study, exploration and development of space for the benefit
of all humanity. ISU programs are international, intercultural and interdisciplinary.
The program brings together students from different parts of the world. The intense
teamwork promotes a collaborative atmosphere which assists the students in
developing lasting friendships and a worldwide professional network. Working with
students and lecturers with different cultural backgrounds, the participants develop an
understanding of different cultural approaches. Solving problems and concluding
opposing objectives prepare the students to work in multicultural environment. The
ISU academic curriculum is designed to cover all aspects of space: scientific,
engineering, political, regulatory etc. Only understanding the complex interactions
among the relevant disciplines will ensure future leaders will develop good decisionmaking skills for space programs. The interdisciplinary nature of the ISU programs
will give a comprehensive background to the participants, which prepares the future
leaders of the emerging global space community. ISU offers a two months long
Summer Session Program (SSP) and a one-year Master of Space Studies (MSS)
program. Next summer, in 2005, the Summer Session Program will be held at the
University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
To learn more about ISU and its programs please visit the following website:
http://www.isunet.edu/
2004 NSAW SPONSORS
Welcome to the 2004 National Space Awareness Workshop!
Description of CAISU:
CAISU is the Canadian Alumni of the International Space University. It is a private, non-profit
association whose main objectives are to provide for the promotion and preservation of contacts
between all Canadian alumni of the International Space University (ISU), cooperate with other
interested organizations in Canada in promoting the cause of peaceful space activities and
advance space education and space research in Canada. CAISU was founded in 1989 and now it
has over 200 members across Canada and the world. The membership elects the Board of
Directors annually and the Board organizes the CAISU activities. To learn more about CAISU
please visit the following website: http://www.caisu.org/.
Description of COMDEV:
COM DEV, based in Cambridge, Ontario is the largest Canadian-based designer and
manufacturer of space hardware subsystems. With facilities in Canada and the United Kingdom,
COM DEV manufactures products that are sold to major satellite prime contractors for use in
communications, space science, remote sensing and military satellites. The Company has been
in business for 30 years and currently has 120 patents granted or pending. COM DEV designs
and manufactures space-qualified microwave, optical and battery subsystems for
communications and science satellites. For more information, see http://www.comdev.ca
Every two years, the Canadian Alumni of International Space University (CAISU)
organize a conference for university students with a space-related theme. Generally,
these day-long conferences follow the format of a "mini-International Space
University" day: lectures about space topics given by experts in those fields, and a
design project to which the students can contribute their insights, with discussion of
topics relevant to them. Although it is held in English, the conference follows the
international, intercultural, and interdisciplinary format that ISU promotes, and
everyone with an interest in space is welcome.
This year, we've decided to raise the stakes for the conference. The Canadian federal
budget for space activities has been fixed at $300 million for 5 years. It has not
increased to cover new opportunities, projects, or research – it hasn't even increased
to cover inflation! The Canadian Space Agency has approached federal politicians
and made attempts to raise this budget for years now without success. The federal
budget has many priorities, and space doesn't seem to rank high enough on the list.
At CAISU, we know that space science, technology, research, and exploration are
important to the Canadian public and to Canadian students. So we've decided to try a
grass roots approach to funding the space program.
Our theme at the 2004 National Space Awareness Workshop is, "What should
Canada's space-related priorities be with an increased budget of $500M/year?" That's
$200M/year more than the Canadian civil space program receives right now. It will
be up to you, the student delegates, to decide what we should do with that money, and
if $500M/year is even enough. In a few years, you will be looking for jobs, possibly
in the space sector. What kind of work will you be looking for? What kind of
projects would you like to see Canada engaged in? Where would you like to go on
the final frontier?
Description of CFISU:
I wish you all an engaging, motivating, and inspiring day!
CFISU is the Canadian Foundation of the International Space University. It was founded in
1989. This organization is a federally-incorporated non-profit charity. CFISU's objective is to
promote Canada's participation in the International Space University (ISU) and to develop a
program of Canadian University space education. CFISU raises private and public funds to
sponsor Canadian students chosen to attend ISU. The organization is run by a board of Directors
representing both universities and industry.
Dr Johanne Heald
Director, CAISU NSAW 2004
NSERC Visiting Fellow, Space Technologies
Canadian Space Agency
The National Space Awareness Workshop
Since its foundation, CAISU has organized a biannual conference. Originally, the conference
had a scientific format, where people presented their findings in various sub-disciplines of space
research and development. Since 2000 the conference has evolved into an active workshop
where the participants had the chance to experience what ISU itself has to offer during its
programs. A series of factual lectures specific to a conference theme is presented, and then the
participants work together to produce an activity report expressing their views of the theme of
the day. The report describes the conceptual design of the chosen space program, covering all
aspects – financial, organizational, technical etc. It is intended that the report can be used as
resource material to deliver the views of the participants on the theme to the key decision-makers
of the space program.
The objective of the 2004 NSAW program is to explore the views of the future generation on the
priorities of the Canadian space program. It is a challenging question and the expectations are
high. The participants may expect an intense work to develop their ideas. We would like to
encourage the free expression of opinion. CAISU will not impose a decision-making structure on
you – the results of this conference will be your own!
Organisation Committee for the 2004 National Space Awareness
Workshop
Director / Co-chair
Dr. Johanne Heald
Co-chair
Dr. Noemi Nagy
Poster Design
Dr. Li-Te Cheng
Webpage Design
Mr. Simon Kruijen
Consultant
Dr. Marcus Dejmek
NSERC Research Fellow,
Space Technologies
Canadian Space Agency
St-Hubert, QC, Canada
Research Scientist
MDS Sciex, Concord, ON,
Canada
Research Scientist
IBM Watson Research
Center
Yorktown Heights, NY, USA
Space Operations Engineer
MD Robotics, Brampton, ON,
Canada
Microgravity Program
Scientist
Canadian Space Agency,
St-Hubert, QC, Canada
You know your university papers - here are the community newspapers you can contact. Write a
letter and email/post it right now!
Morning Programme for the 2004 NSAW
Time
Activity
7:00 – 8:00
8:00 – 8:30
Onsite Registration
Conference Opening:
and Welcome
Lecture on robotics
and space operations
Delivered by
Location
NATIONAL: Globe and Mail, National Post, Financial Post
TERRITORIES: Newsnorth, Iqaluit, Nunatsiag News, Yukon News, Whitehorse Star,
Yellowknifer, Kivallig News
ALBERTA/BRITISH COLUMBIA: Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, Edmonton Journal,
Edmonton Sun, Fort McMurray Today, Lethbridge Herald, Kamploops Daily News, Kelowna
Capital News, Prince George Citizen, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Province, Victoria TimesColonist
MANITOBA/SASKATCHEWAN: Brandon Sun, Portage La Prairie Daily Graphic, Winnipeg
Free Press, Winnipeg Sun, Moose Jaw Times-Herald, Prince Albert Daily Herald, Regina
Leader-Post, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
QUEBEC/ONTARIO: Granby La Voix de l'Est, La Presse, Le Journal de Montreal,
Le Journal de Quebec, Le Nouvelliste (Trois Rivieres), LeSoleil, Montreal Gazette, Sherbrooke
Record, Sherbrooke Tribune, Guelph Mercury, Hamilton Spectator, Kingston Whig, KitchenerWaterloo Record, London Free Press, Mississauga News, Le Droit (Ottawa), Ottawa Sun,
Ottawa Citizen, Sarnia Observer, Sault Star, Sudbury Star, Thunder Bay Green Mantle, Toronto
Star, Toronto Sun, Windsor Star
ATLANTIC CANADA: Amherst Daily News/The Citizen, Cape Breton Post,
Charlottetown Guardian, Coast, Halifax, Frederiction Daily Gleaner, Halifax Daily
News, New Glasgow Evening News, Summerside Journal-Pioneer, Saint John
Telegraph, St. John's Telegram, Moncton Times and Transcript
8:30 – 9:00
9:00 – 9:30
9:30 – 10:00
10:00 – 10:15
10:15 – 10:45
10:45 – 11:15
11:15 – 11:45
11:45 – 12:15
12:15 – 13:00
Lecture on interplanetary and Mars
exploration
Lecture on physical
sciences on ISS
Networking break
with refreshment
(coffee, tea, juice)
Lecture on Earth
Observation
Applications
Lecture on Human
and Autonomous
Space Vehicles
Lecture on Advancing
Canadian Space
Technology
Building a CSA 10year plan
Keynote speaker,
followed by lunch
Dr. Johanne Heald,
Conference Director
Marius Ochisor and
Bruce Alstrom,
Robotics Instructors
Dr. David Kendall,
CSA Dir. Space
Science
Dr. Marcus Dejmek,
CSA g Program
Scientist
CSA Lobby
Conference room
2
Conference room
2
Hall
Dr. Vern Sighroy,
CCRS
Conference room
2
Brian Rishikof,
Odyssey Space
Research
Bob Richards,
Optech Inc.
Dany St.-Pierre, CSA
Strategic
Development
Bjarni Tryggvason,
CSA Astronaut
Conference room
2
Conference room
2
Afternoon Programme for the 2004 NSAW
Time
Event
Lead by
Location
13:00 – 13:15
Working Group
Kickoff
Working Groups
deliberate Canadian
space program
priorities and
associated budgets
Networking break with
refreshment (coffee,
tea, juice)
Working Groups
prepare short summary
presentations
Working Group
Presentations to the
Plenary
Dinner. Working
Groups prepare written
report on their findings.
Representative(s) from
each group to debate
and finalize space
program activities
Plenary discussion on
awareness and
promotion of space
program in Canada
Closing Remarks
Dr. Johanne Heald
Conference Room
2
Conference Room
2
13:15 – 15:00
15:00 – 15:15
15:15 – 16:00
16:00 – 17:00
17:00 – 18:00
18:00 – 19:00
19:00 – 19:15
Students
Hall
4) Call-In Shows
Call in radio and TV shows are growing in popularity, and while they tend to be
conservative, their following comes from their often-confrontational dynamic. Callers
who contribute to this fiery flavour in a substantive, not personal, way can make an
important contribution to these debates.
Keep tabs on these shows and look for opportunities to make contributions, often
recasting the simple questions that are asked. For example, the main question could
be: "Should the government compensate prairie farmers for a natural disaster as
serious as the Quebec ice storm or Red River flood?" You could say: "While this is an
important question, an even bigger one is: Why is the Canadian government not doing
supporting increased funding to the Canadian Space Agency, whose satellites
monitor these disastrous weather events?"
Phone the producer of these shows to suggest good topics and potential guests.
Students
Conference Room
2
Students
Conference Room
2
Students
Conference Room
2
5) Opinion editorials
Known as op-eds, these short, persuasive essays generally examine timely or topical
issues. Although more challenging to get published, they can have a powerful impact.
Contact information and writing guidelines are usually available on newspaper
websites.






Bob Richards
Conference Room
2
Dr. Johanne Heald
Conference room 2

Narrow your topic and be brief (700 words maximum).
Support your position with references to expert studies and reports.
Make sure your submission is relevant to the readers.
Try an unusual angle or localize the issue.
You can contact your paper first to see if they like your angle.
Include your name, address and day phone number - staff will likely
call you if they're interested.
Newspapers prefer to feature prominent people or experts in the
community - approach someone like this to see if they would like to
co-author or even write a submission.
2b) Phone calls to elected officials
You can address the same concerns above by calling your political representative instead of
writing. While you may not get through to your elected representative, you can talk to the office
staff. Ask that your position and specific request for action is forwarded to the politician.
2c) Public meetings

Face-to-face encounters with your elected officials can move him or her from taking a
passive to an active interest.

Share new information with them.

Go with another informed person. If possible, a person who is particularly relevant for the
discussion or an unexpected ally: a local business person, economist, scientist, doctor,
religious or community leader.

Be specific about what you want that politician to do.

Make sure your request is within the jurisdiction of whatever level of government the
politician is capable of influencing.

Take accurate notes of what they say and commit to, and if they're really meaningful
share them with other people and organizations, such as the Space Generation Forum or
CAISU, that would find them useful.

Narrow your discussion and stick to your point.

Leave brief, well-selected background material (articles, a report, polling results).

If you can't meet with your elected official, meet with his or her assistant.

Follow up with a letter restating your position and his/her commitments (or lack thereof).
3) Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper:
Email a letter to the editor of your faculty, university or community
newspaper. Here are some tips for writing letters:








Try to link your letter to the date and title of a story previously appearing in the paper.
Deal with one topic and have one major message.
Put the main point at the beginning and progressively less important details towards the
end.
Be brief (350 words max) and specific.
Use a straightforward, factual approach - not sarcasm.
Include your name, address and day phone number - staff may call if they're interested.
Try to submit within 48 hours (for dailies) of the article you're responding to.
Get your mother (or anyone who cares about your reputation) to check the letter.
Biographies of NSAW Lecturers
Dr. Johanne Heald is currently a visiting researcher at the Canadian Space Agency in Montreal,
Canada, involved in the deployment of membrane structures in space. She obtained her Bachelor's
degree in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto, and her Master's degree from the
University of Toronto's Institute for Aerospace Studies. In 1996, she participated as a student at the
ISU Summer Session Program in Vienna, Austria, and was staff at the 1998 ISU summer session.
Johanne worked at ESA as a navigation and guidance engineer, where she examined problems related
to formation flying and errors in spacecraft trajectories. In 1998, she began her Ph.D. in Aerospace
Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her doctoral work examined the
repeatability of precision deployable structures that are used for space telescopes. She also obtained a
certificate in remote sensing from the University of Colorado in 2000. Johanne helped organize the
Space Generation Forum at the United Nations' UNISPACE III conference, and is a member of the
Board of Directors of the Canadian Alumni for International Space University (CAISU).
Marius Ochisor has completed a M. Eng. in Aerospace Engineering from McGill University and a B.
Eng. in Aeronautics from Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest. He has additional certifications related to
Real-Time 3D Graphics and Simulation, Operations and Utilization of Manned Spacecraft, Virtual
Reality Technologies, and Robotics Mechanics and Control. Marius has over 17 years of experience in
fields such aerospace & aeronautics, robotics operations, software design & development, and
procurement & integration of high-tech training systems with an acquired global perspective on space
issues and industry evolution. He has worked for the Canadian Space Agency for the last 11 years. As
Operations Engineer/Robotics Instructor within Space Operations, Operations Engineering, Mobile
Servicing System (MSS) Training Group, Marius delivered robotics training to International Space
Station astronauts and cosmonauts, ground support personnel, and flight controllers. Marius is an
alumnus of International Space University, Summer Session Program 2000, Valparaiso, Chile.
Dr. David Kendall holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours) in Physics from University College
Swansea, University of Wales as well as Masters and Doctoral degrees in Atmospheric Physics from
the University of Calgary. Following his employment as a Research and Development scientist at
BOMEM Inc., Dr. Kendall joined the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and rose to the
rank of Senior Research Officer. In 1989, he was transferred to the newly created Canadian Space
Agency were he was appointed Program Scientist, subsequently Director and then acting Senior
Director with the Space Science Program. He is currently the Director General of the Space Science
Branch of the Canadian Space Agency.
Dr. Marcus Dejmek holds both a B.A.Sc. degree and a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering
from the University of Toronto. He completed the Jean Monnet program and received a Ph.D. in
Space Physical Sciences from the École Polytechnique de Paris in France. He participated in, and has
lead, many microgravity science experiments in collaboration with the French, European, Canadian
and American National Space Agencies. He has been responsible for experiments varying from
material science processing to fluid configuration to studying the human vestibular system. Marcus
was also a scientist for the CSA Rocket program. He has conducted atmospheric science research and
was responsible for an ESA high-temperature material science experiment. He has been both a
student and staff at the International Space University (ISU) Summer Session Program. Marcus has
been a Canadian Delegate to the Space Generation Forum at UNISPACE-III and worked with the UN
Space Generation Advisory Council as an elected official. Marcus is currently the Program Scientist
for the Space Physical Science Program at the Canadian Space Agency.
Dr. Vern Singhroy is a senior research scientist at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) in Ottawa,
Canada, and a professor at the International Space University. Dr Singhroy conducts research on radar and
hyperspectral satellite systems for geological and geohazards studies in over 20 countries, and advises the Canadian
Space Agency on the geoscience applications of RADARSAT. He published over 200 scientific papers in journals,
proceedings and books. Dr Singhroy was also editor- in -chief for the Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing. Prof.
Singhroy was the co-chair for a variety of ISU-SSP design projects on Earth observation, disaster management, and
the Kyoto Accord. He was a resident faculty member at the ISU-MSS 98-99 program in Strasbourg, France.
Brian Rishikof is a founder, manager and technical lead at Odyssey Space Research, L.L.C. Brian has over 15 years
of experience, principally at NASA's Johnson Space Center in spacecraft Guidance, Navigation and Control
(GN&C) and systems engineering, working both human and automated missions. He spent the last 5 years leading
the team performing NASA’s independent assessment of the International Space Station Automated Transfer
Vehicle GN&C systems and Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Capture design (first at Titan Corporation, and
now at Odyssey). He spent the first 9 years of his career at Boeing/McDonnell Douglas supporting various GN&C
development, research and analysis projects. Brian has a M.S.E. from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), a
M.S. in Physical Sciences (Space Science) from the University of Houston (Clear Lake) and a B.Eng. (Mechanical Aeronautics Option) from McGill University in Montreal. He has participated at the ISU SSP and MSS programs in
various capacities, starting as a student in 1990. Brian was also a finalist in the 1992 astronaut selection campaign.
Robert Richards studied Engineering at Ryerson University (Toronto) and Space Sciences at Cornell University
(Ithaca, NY) under Carl Sagan and Frank Drake. He has co-founded many space advocacy groups such as SEDS,
The Space Generation Foundation and Young Astronauts Canada. In 1987, he, along with Peter Diamandis and
Todd Hawley, founded the International Space University. Bob is the recipient of four major space awards: K.E.
Tsiolkovski Medal (Russia, 1995), Space Frontier “Vision to Reality” Award (USA, 1994), Arthur C. Clarke
Commendation (Sri Lanka, 1990) and Aviation & Space Technology Laurel (USA, 1988). Bob currently serves as
the Director, Space and Atmospheric Division, at Optech Incorporated in Toronto, Canada.
Dany St-Pierre has been working in the space field for more than 20 years. After undertaken several positions in
engineering, business development and program management at Spar Aerospace/EMS Technologies, on several
Canadians and International programs, he joined the Strategic Development Group of CSA in January 2003. Mr. StPierre holds a B.Sc and M. Sc in Mechanical engineering from Laval University. After attending the summer session
of the International Space University in Kitakyushu, he obtained his Master in Space Studies from ISU in
Strasbourg. In July of this year, he completed a EMBA specialized in Technology Management from Université du
Québec à Montreal (and was finalist for the best MBA in the province of Quebec in 2004). Mr. St-Pierre recently
participated in the drafting of CSA's 10 year plan. His presentation today will present some of the issues, challenges
and constraints associated with the establishment of a Canadian long term space plan.
Bjarni Tryggvason is a member of the astronaut corps at the Canadian Space Agency. He obtained a Bachelor's
degree in Engineering Physics from the University of British Columbia in 1972, and went on to do postgraduate
work specializing in applied mathematics and fluid dynamics at the University of Western Ontario. He then went on
to become a lecturer at the University of Western Ontario, the University of Ottawa, and Carleton University, as
well as a research associate in low speed aerodynamics at the National Research Council. In 1983, he was selected
in Canada's first astronaut selection. He flew on space shuttle mission STS-85, during which he was the principal
investigator for an experiment in Brownian motion. He is also the principal investigator for the microgravity
vibration isolation mount which flew on board the MIR space station, and has supervised a team of research
engineers at the CSA and work of contractors developing hardware for the Mir, shuttle and the International Space
Station. He completed Mission Specialist training at NASA in Houston for operations on the shuttle and the
International Space Station from 1998 to 2001, and was assigned for one year to the NASA Shuttle Avionics
Integration Laboratory. From 2002 to 2004, he was the chief technical officer for Gedex Inc., where he was
responsible for technology development, particularly of high-resolution gravity field sensors for airborne surveys.
Currently, Bjarni is leading a review of the strategy for science on the International Space Station.
Take Action!
Participating as a delegate at this conference today was an excellent first step towards
increasing the funding of space activities in Canada. The conference organizing
committee will be putting together a report of your deliberations and discussions. We
plan to send this document to decision makers in the space community, and maybe
even present it to the House of Commons. If you've been inspired by taking this first
step, you should consider taking the next step in supporting the Canadian space
program:
1) Become involved with the Space Generation Advisory Council/Foundation
The Space Generation Advisory Council/Foundation is an international group of
youth using space to make a difference in the world. You can check them out at
http://www.unsgac.org and http://spacegen.org.
2) Contacting your political representatives
Political leaders are greatly influenced by public opinion. In fact, politicians keep
close tabs on the issues constituents raise in letters, meetings, phone calls and
editorial pages of local papers. Encourage change by contacting your elected
representative.
2a) Letters to politicians (MP or MLA)
One letter represents more than a 1,000 opinions at the federal level. The ratio
declines as you move down the levels of government. Generally, the more time and
thought involved in communicating to a politician, the greater your opinion is valued.
This means: letters are better mailed than faxed, faxes are better than email, writing
is generally better than phoning, and doing something is better than doing nothing!

You do not need a long, detailed letter.

You do not have to be an "expert".

Request a specific action as well as expressing a concern.

If you don't have time to write out your full position, attach an article or short
summary of a study that makes your point.

Point out that the priorities the politician has expressed about job creation, a
healthy economy, etc… are not at odds with funding space exploration.

Commend politicians for any good work and statements they make.

Have fun! Get together with friends and food for a letter writing fest.

Letters to federal politicians can be sent postage free to the House of
Commons.

Carbon copy (cc) the letter to other relevant people (the Prime Minister,
relevant ministers, your MPs, or provincial or municipal politician, journalists
etc) and send a blind copy to CAISU. This means you can write only one
letter with the same important message and send it to everyone.