spacetoday.net: Canada releases space policy framework

Posted: Sat, Feb 8, 2014, 10:08 AM ET (1508 GMT)
The Canadian government issued Friday a document that outlines the nation's space policy framework, including a "continued commitment" to the International Space Station and maintaining a national astronaut corps. The document outlines Canada's goals in space, stating that "national sovereignty, security and prosperity" will be the key drivers for Canadian space activities. Canada will use the private sector "wherever feasible" to provide space hardware and services, according to the document, and support research and development in key areas like robotics and satellite communications. The report states that Canada will continue support of the ISS and maintain its own astronaut corps for flights to "current and future space laboratories." The report offers few specifics about how it will implement those goals, which are expected to come in a long-term space plan later this year. Canada's aerospace industry welcomed the report, but opposing political parties criticized it for a lack of detail and funding.