Science and research drive innovation and strengthen Canada's global competitiveness. For decades, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has championed scientific excellence through groundbreaking research conducted both in space and on Earth. The microgravity environment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) accelerates medical conditions commonly seen in aging and inactive populations. What could take 10 to 20 years to study on Earth can be observed in as little as six months in space.
Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced over $2.2 million in funding to support 16 cutting-edge research projects led by 12 Canadian institutions on the effects of spaceflight on human health. After a few months in space, astronauts may experience anemia, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, cataracts, and loss of muscle mass or bone density. These conditions mirror those affecting nearly half of Canadian adults living with chronic diseases (high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, etc.).
Funded projects will either analyze data collected during previous space-related experiments to explore new hypotheses or will conduct ground-based studies that mimic spaceflight conditions, like microgravity, isolation and confinement. Insights from these studies have the potential to transform how we understand chronic conditions that impact the everyday lives of thousands of Canadians.
Through these investments, Canada is preparing the future of human space exploration while empowering Canadian researchers to lead breakthroughs in prevailing scientific and health-related fields.
