Former astronaut Steve MacLean new head of Canadian Space Agency

William Atkins
Wednesday, 03 September 2008 18:38

Science - Space

The CBC article concludes by saying “Prentice said one of MacLean's first acts as president will be to begin consultations to determine a new, long-term space plan, but that his role will go far beyond consultations.”

It continues, "I [Prentice] have given Steve a mandate to make sweeping changes at the CSA. As we stand at this crossroads, he will revitalize the agency. He will restore its ability to punch above its weight in an international quest. He will develop Canada’s capacity for a new era of prestige and achievement," he said in a statement.”

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA or, in French, l'Agence spatiale canadienne, ASC) is the Canadian government's space agency. Established in March 1989, it is responsible for Canada's space program.

The headquarters of the CSA is located at the John H. Chapman Space Centre in Saint-Hubert, Quebec.

The Canadian Space Agency has contributed much to space exploration, along with lending great support to the construction of the International Space Station.

Besides its crew of astronauts, the CSA is probably best known for providing the Canadarm (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System [SRMS], or Canadarm1) on the Space Shuttle fleet and the Canadarm2 (Mobile Servicing System [MSS], whose main component is the Canadarm2) on the International Space Station.