Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe. Heatwaves, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes are affecting lives, economies, and ecosystems around the world. Canadians need reliable environmental data to adapt and plan for these changing conditions, especially in the Arctic. Satellites provide unique insights that are vital to this effort.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced today the granting of two contracts totalling over $5.4 million for the High-altitude Aerosols, Water vapour and Clouds (HAWC) mission. This funding, awarded to Quebec-based ABB Inc. and Honeywell's operations in Canada, will advance concepts and critical technologies for the Thin Ice Clouds and Far InfraRed Emissions (TICFIRE) instrument, an integral component of the HAWC satellite mission. It will also support the development of comprehensive system designs and detailed cost assessments.
Set to orbit above the Arctic, HAWC is expected to offer unmatched insights into the characteristics of the atmosphere. It will deliver data on polar atmospheric conditions and their influence on Canada's weather and climate. This will improve forecasts and help communities in the North and across the country adapt to changing conditions.
Over the course of its lifetime, HAWC will strengthen Canada's space sector by creating 160 high-paying jobs and giving researchers, engineers, and students opportunities to innovate and contribute to a mission with both national and international scientific value.
