The Contribution of Space Technologies to Arctic Policy Priorities

Rescue (S&R) capabilities and the protection of borders from movement of illegal goods.

overload power grids and disrupt communications and pipeline systems in the Arctic regions, which are particularly vulnerable to these disturbances. Gravity satellite missions are crucial for deriving accurate and detailed measurements of ocean circulation and sea-level change, both of which are affected by climate change and subsequently impact Arctic interests. Future systems (RBSP, ERR, MMS) will focus on research that will improve the understanding and eventually prediction of, hazardous events in the Earth’s radiation belts and magnetic fields. These disturbances can subsequently impact both space-born and ground–based technologies, which are critical for providing communication services to the Arctic as well as supporting monitoring and surveillance activities. Gravity missions will also assist scientists to map, with precision, the uniformity of Earth’s gravitational fields which are of particular interest in the Arctic, giving scientists a better understanding of the structure of the Earth.

Satellite-based Automatic Identification Systems (S-AIS) signal reception is the only cost-effective means of monitoring shipping in the region. The next generation of the international distress alert detection and location system, COSPAS-SARSAT, will have S&R beacon signal repeaters hosted on GNSS satellites. Funds have been committed for development of a proof-of-concept (POC) system for the Distress Alerting Satellite System (DASS) (Canada- USA), which is intended to enhance the COSPAS-SARSAT system by installing transponders on the GPS satellites and introducing new ground segment tracking stations and processing algorithms.

Policy Relevance:

yy Sovereignty (Border Protection) yy Safety (Marine and Air Transportation, S&R) 2.6.6 Science

yy Sovereignty (National Boundaries) yy Environment (Climate Change) yy Economic Development (Infrastructure)

There are a number of dedicated satellite missions that have been launched to address specific scientific objections; particularly relevant to understanding gravity fields and space weather (GOCE, GRACE, ACE, Cluster II) space weather systems can provide advanced warning of geomagnetic storms that can

3 THE STATUS OF SPACE SYSTEMS Space systems provide unique opportunities to meet the needs of northern stakeholders concerned with safety, the environment,

Figure 4: Space Technologies and Policy Drivers

Weather and Climate satellites

Communications satellites

Environment

Sustainable economic development

Indigenous rights and social development

Surveillance satellites

Science satellites

Sovereignty and security

Safety

Earth observation satellites

Navigation satellites

CONTRIBUTION OF SPACE TECHNOLOGIES TO ARCTIC POLICY PRIORITIES 16