November 15, 2018 | Local, C4ISR
Telesystem Space, Canada, Quebec, Europe's Space Alliance, US-based KinetX form the NorthStar team
MONTREAL, Nov. 15, 2018 /CNW/ - Human beings have left a legacy to Earth which threatens the sustainability of our planet and the livelihoods of future generations. The cause: a lack of tools to manage and monitor our impact on the environment. NorthStar Earth & Space Inc. (NorthStar E&S) is pleased to announce C$52 million in additional financing from strategic partners for the development of NorthStar, a global environment information platform which will transform humanity's ability to manage our impact on Earth and its natural resources.
The Governments of Canada and Quebec are each contributing C$13 million. Private partners include Telesystem Space Inc. of Montreal, the majority shareholder, and the Space Alliance of Europe. Formed by Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space, the Space Alliance is a strategic partnership between Leonardo and Thales, the major industrial groups in the aerospace industry of Italy and France. This C$52 million sum adds to the C$31 million already contributed by NorthStar E&S's Canadian and US founding partners.
The NorthStar platform is based on a 40-satellite constellation with sophisticated sensors and information delivery capability. NorthStar will enable new advances in continuous environmental management including pollution detection, charting the health of the world's oceans and rivers, enhancing the productivity of agriculture, wildfire alerts, and pipeline oil and gas monitoring to prevent spills and contamination. Around and above the planet, NorthStar's sensors will track orbital debris to reduce the probability of collisions and protect high-value assets in space.
"Our goal is to empower humanity to preserve our planet," said NorthStar E&S CEO Stewart Bain. "Information provided by NorthStar will enable citizens, industry and governments to measure and manage our impact on the natural resources of Earth, creating a more sustainable world for now and for future generations. As a Canadian enterprise along with Telesystem Space, we welcome the participation of the governments of Canada and Quebec, and the Space Alliance, all critical to the success of our mission".
According to The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, "NorthStar's project demonstrates how Canada'sspace sector is driving game-changing innovations and developing solutions for real-world problems. Our government's investment will help ensure that Quebec remains at the forefront of advanced information technology, creating good jobs for the middle-class and positioning Canada's economy to be globally competitive."
"The growth of the aerospace industry in Quebec is directly linked to corporate innovation efforts," according to Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy and Innovation and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region. "Our government reiterates its support for the growth of this industry, which is essential to Québec's economy, by enabling innovative companies to achieve their goals. That is why the Québec government is proud to support the NorthStar project, which will generate new expertise and quality jobs in the aerospace, the information and the communications technology sector."
In a joint statement from The Space Alliance, Luigi Pasquali, CEO of Telespazio and Jean Loïc Galle, CEO of Thales Alenia Space said, "This investment in NorthStar is strategically in line with Space Alliance's global offer and we are convinced this solution will bring benefit to our customers and their priority needs".
Commercial Earth Observation and Space Object Tracking services are rapid-growth areas and represent the future of the global space economy in Canada and abroad. When fully operational, NorthStar E&S expects to create an estimated 400 highly-skilled direct jobs and 1200 indirect jobs related to Big Data and Information Analytics, and support the expansion of aerospace, satellite design and sensor technology industries in Canada and abroad.
Data services will be made available through NorthStar's AGILE (Applications for Global Innovation and Leadership) Centre Platform, in cooperation with a worldwide community of Applications Developers. AGILE Centres around the world will foster clusters of activity in Big Data and Predictive Analytics, the first generation of smart environmental protection apps. According to NorthStar CEO Bain, the first AGILE Centre will be based in Montreal, Canada. "With its talent base in the IT, AI and aerospace sectors and general quality of life which attracts the best and the brightest from around the world, Montreal is the ideal home for the NorthStar platform, " said Bain.
Government of Canada funding includes C$9.5 million from the Strategic Innovation Fund and C$3.5 million from Economic Development Quebec Region. The Government of Quebec, via Le Fonds du développement économique (FDE), also invested C$13 million. With today's announcement, NorthStar Earth & Space Inc. has gathered a total of C$83 million for its NorthStar platform.
ABOUT NORTHSTAR
The space infrastructure will rely on a constellation of 40 satellites equipped with Hyperspectral, Infrared and Optical sensors. NorthStar will continuously detect and analyze the fine chemistry of objects on the complete surface of the Earth. Via proprietary data analysis and predictive analytics, NorthStar will deliver Earth Observation information with a dimension, precision, richness and timeliness never before available.
NorthStar's Space Situational Awareness service will have the ability to identify, track and predict the trajectories of more than 300,000 objects in Earth's orbit, now classified as space debris, which is significantly more than currently possible. This information is critical for an expanding satellite industry owned and operated by both the private and public sectors.
The founding shareholders of NorthStar E&S include Telesystem Ltd, based in Montreal, and US-based KinetX Inc. Telesystem Ltd, a media and technology holding company managed by the Sirois family, has built a successful track record as a leading global telecommunications player and with high growth technology start-ups. KinetX Inc is a US-based company which specializes in orbital dynamics and is the originator of the NorthStar concept.
Telesystem Space Inc, the majority shareholder of NorthStar Earth and Space Inc, is a Canadian company jointly owned by Telesystem Ltd and an affiliate of Rogers Telecommunications Limited (RTL), created to help define and support the launch of the NorthStar global environment information platform. RTL is a private holding company of the Rogers family and together with affiliated companies controls Rogers Communications Inc, one of the largest telecommunications and media companies in Canada.
SOURCE NorthStar Earth & Space
For further information: Website: http://northstar-data.com/; Press Contact: Jean-Philippe Arseneau, 1-514-953-8597, jean-philippe.arseneau@northstar-data.com
April 8, 2022 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
OTTAWA - The federal Liberal government responded Thursday to months of pressure from the NATO military allian...
November 2, 2018 | Local, Naval
November 2, 2018 – Halifax, Nova Scotia – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces As part of Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada's Defence Policy, the Government of Canada is acquiring the Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) to bolster the Royal Canadian Navy's capabilities while equipping its women and men with versatile and reliable vessels to complete their vital missions. Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence announced that the Royal Canadian Navy will receive a sixth patrol ship, which will help sustain hundreds of highly-skilled middle class jobs at Irving shipyards. The Royal Canadian Navy needs a diversified fleet to respond to the challenges it faces today and will face well into the future. The AOPS will patrol Canada's oceans, including the Arctic, and are perfectly suited for missions abroad to support international partners, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, search and rescue, and drug interdiction. A sixth patrol ship will greatly increase the capacity of the Royal Canadian Navy to deploy AOPS simultaneously, at home or abroad. Additionally, a fleet of six AOPS will allow our frigates to focus on further tasks, allowing the RCN to use its fleet more effectively. The Government of Canada is also committed to providing the best economic opportunities for Canadians. Through the National Shipbuilding Strategy, the Government of Canada is providing the Royal Canadian Navy with safe and effective vessels to carry out their missions, while providing meaningful economic opportunities for Canadians. Quotes “I am delighted to confirm today that the Royal Canadian Navy will receive a sixth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship, as outlined in our defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged. This versatile vessel will offer greater capabilities to our women and men who will sail on the AOPS and will bolster the RCN's future operational capacity.” Harjit S. Sajjan, Defence Minister “The National Shipbuilding Strategy continues to create social and economic benefits for Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast. The construction of the sixth Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship underscores our commitment to maximizing stable employment for our skilled shipbuilders, while supporting the brave women and men of the Royal Canadian Navy in their important work.” Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility “I could not be more pleased with the decision to proceed with the construction of the sixth AOPS. These ships will enhance the RCN's capacity to operate in the North, while continuing to contribute to a wide range of security, humanitarian and capacity building operations at home and around the world.” Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, Commander Royal Canadian Navy Quick facts The decision for a sixth ship was made possible after ensuring adequate funding for the acquisition of the ship, as well as the modified production schedule. The Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships will significantly enhance the Canadian Armed Forces' capabilities and presence in the Arctic, as well as augment their presence on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, better enabling the Royal Canadian Navy to safeguard Canadian Arctic sovereignty. The AOPS are highly versatile platforms that can be used on a variety of missions at home and abroad, such as coastal surveillance, search and rescue, drug interdiction, support to international partners, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief. Three ships are in full production and steel cutting for the fourth ship is planned for this winter. The first AOPS is now in the water and is expected to be delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy in summer 2019. Associated links Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships Future HMCS Harry DeWolf given official title at naming ceremony HMCS Harry DeWolf National Shipbuilding Strategy Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy Contacts Byrne Furlong Press Secretary Office of the Minister of National Defence 613-996-3100 Media Relations Department of National Defence Phone: 613-996-2353 Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2018/11/the-royal-canadian-navy-to-receive-a-sixth-arctic-and-offshore-patrol-ship.html
March 20, 2020 | Local, Aerospace, Naval, Land, C4ISR, Security
CRÉONS UNE CHAÎNE SOLIDAIRE DE L'INNOVATION FACE À UNE SITUATION INÉDITE : L'INNOVATION COMME ÉTENDARD PROMPT a pour mission d'accélérer l'innovation et la recherche collaborative dans le secteur des nouvelles technologies afin d'inventer le monde de demain. Plus que jamais au regard de la situation sanitaire, sociale et économique, nous portons cette mission comme un étendard. L'équipe de PROMPT se tient prêt à vous assister et permettre de combler des besoins révélés par cette crise sans précédent. QUE VOUS SOYEZ CHERCHEUR, ENTREPRENEURS, DIRIGEANT : VOUS AVEZ UNE IDÉE , FAITES-LE NOUS SAVOIR ! Pour aider au combat contre le COVID-19 et tous les obstacles et enjeux qu'il créé pour le Québec, le Canada et le monde, PROMPT fait appel à tout le génie et la richesse qui existent au sein de la communauté de recherche et de la communauté entrepreneuriale du Québec. Nous avons aujourd'hui la chance de proposer des solutions aux enjeux multiples soulevés par les maladies infectieuses, et d'assurer le maintien de la prospérité économique du Québec. Si vous avez des idées innovantes ou des projets déjà en cours, des propositions qui ne demandent qu'à voir le jour, Conctactez-nous! Vos idées pourraient faire partie d'un programme de financement PROMPT et nous vous accompagnerons pour trouver au besoin des partenaires et pour créer une chaine solidaire de l'innovation. DONNONS-NOUS les moyens de traverser la crise mais aussi d'être plus forts après celle-ci ! Écrivez-nous à Covid-19@promptinnov.com, particulièrement si vous avez des idées de projets en : Outils de productivité Outils de gestion Outils logistiques Outils de transport et d'approvisionnement Solutions d'automatisations Applications de l'IA aux maladies infectieuses