TORONTO, August 5, 2003 -- The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) yesterday gave space research in Canada a welcome boost by announcing that the Scout Mission "Phoenix" has been selected to go to Mars in 2007. Two of the original four finalists, the "Phoenix" and the "Marvel" bids, had included Canadian participation.
"Our congratulations go out to both Canadian teams, Marvel and Phoenix, who came to the forefront of this international competition," said Marc Garneau, President of the Canadian Space Agency. "The announcement, NASA's selection of the Phoenix team for the Mars 2007 Scout Mission, is recognition of Canada's world renowned technology and leading space science expertise", he added.
York University Space scientist and Chairman of Optech incorporated, Allan Carswell, is leading a Canadian team of researchers in the U.S-led Phoenix mission. Optech Incorporated and MD Robotics will provide laser radar (lidar) technology to the Scout mission, a sophisticated instrumentation package developed by Canadian scientists and engineers to study the Martian atmosphere.
"This is a wonderful recognition of Canada's leading role in atmospheric science and the advancement of lidar technology," said Allan Carswell. "Optech and York are prepared and ready to be part of the Phoenix Scout Mission."
York University President and Vice-Chancellor Lorna R. Marsden was delighted by the announcement. "This is a remarkable achievement for York University and its team of pioneering space scientists, who are helping to forge new frontiers in space exploration. This win makes it clear that York’s space scientists are among the very best in the world."
Canada’s participation will include the development of a meteorological package (MET) by Optech and MD Robotics, that will measure the pressure and temperature of the atmosphere. The MET package, which includes Optech’s Mars lidar system, will provide detailed information on dust and water-ice clouds in the atmosphere.
York University’s leading role in the scientific investigation of the Martian atmosphere will be directed by Professors Diane Michelangeli and Peter Taylor. As members of the Phoenix Canadian science team, they will develop computer models of the atmosphere of Mars that will be used for mission planning, as well as data analysis once the mission is in operation.
"York’s computer models will bring valuable insights to increase our understanding of the Martian atmosphere, its temperature, winds, water and cloud formations," explains Michelangeli. "Mars is known to have major dust storms. The more we learn the better our ability to reduce the risk of problems for any future manned mission to the planet."
The Phoenix mission will use a lander originally prepared for a mission canceled in 2001. This lander provides a highly reliable means to soft-land on mars, since it includes a capability for guided entry and hazard avoidance using camera and lidar observations. Canada’s lidar instrumentation expertise could contribute to the success of this landing capability. In addition to the U.S. and Canada, Phoenix researchers are also based in Germany and Switzerland.
About York University:
York University offers a world-class, modern academic experience in Toronto, Canada's most international city. York is at the centre of innovation, with a thriving community of faculty, students, staff and alumni who challenge the ordinary and deliver the unexpected. York faculty members are internationally recognized for their pioneering research and leadership in teaching. York is the third largest university in Canada with 43,000 students in 10 faculties, 21 research centres, and more than 170,000 alumni. York's ground-breaking approach to research is interdisciplinary and collaborative, cutting across traditional academic boundaries to bring fresh insights and solutions to real world challenges. Working together, we redefine the possible.
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For further information, please contact:
| Nancy White | Ken Turriff |
| Director Media Relations | Media Relations |
| York University | York University |
| 416-736-5603 | 416-736-2100, ext. 22086 |
| whiten@yorku.ca | kturriff@yorku.ca |
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