Although relatively tiny in size, the satellite and its telescope will
be a powerful tool to
help astronomers probe the internal structures of stars to determine their
ages.
The MOST telescope will be able to detect and characterize the rapid oscillations
in
light intensity of stars -- a scientific feat not currently possible with
any other telescope
on earth or in space, including the Hubble Space Telescope.
As part of the MOST team, the University of British Columbia will design
and build a
telescope of unprecedented photometric capabilities. Dynacon Enterprises,
together
with UTIAS, will design the microsatellite bus that will provide the high-precision
pointing capability needed for both this and future CSA space science missions.
Other
MOST partners include: the Centre for Research in Earth and Space Technology
(CRESTech) of Toronto; the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT),
which
includes both Canadian and US Chapters; AeroAstro Corporation of Herndon,
Virginia;
the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC); and a team of consulting
scientists from across Canada and the United States, led by the Principal
Investigator,
Prof. Jaymie Matthews of the Department of Physics and Astronomy of the
University
of British Columbia.
The MOST project falls under the Small Payloads Program, sponsored by the
CSA's
Space Science Branch.
The CSA is providing $4 million of the total cost. An additional $1.2 million
is being
provided from the Ontario Government Challenge Fund, while the balance
is being
financed by the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto.
Traditionally, the development and implementation of satellite technology
and programs
have been lengthy and expensive. With the Canada-led microsatellite project,
the cost
of having a satellite in orbit would be dramatically reduced.
"The goal of the CSA's Small Payloads Program is to provide low-cost, frequent
access to space for Canadian scientists, said Glen Campbell, the CSA's
Project
Manager for MOST. Lower cost means we can fly more experiments, keeping
Canada
at the forefront of innovative technologies that push the frontier of space
research".