The Institute for Space Science, Exploration and Technology with
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Edmonton Centre
present
The 2018 Space Exploration Symposium
Featuring keynote talks by two Canadian scientists involved in international space missions (see below), and talks and posters by University of Alberta students and other researchers.
Keynote speaker Cameron Dickinson
Planetary Scientist–MDA Brampton
![OSIRIS-REX]()
Development of the OSIRIS REx Laser Altimeter
The joint NASA/Canadian Space Agency OSIRIS REx Mission is set to characterize and sample the primitive asteroid Bennu – a time capsule of our early solar system. Beginning in December of 2018, the OSIRIS REx Laser Altimeter (OLA), will provide unprecedented 3D data of the asteroid surface. Such data will be employed to provide a shape model of the asteroid, characterize its many craters, and help locate an optimal “Touch-and-Go” (TAG) sample site. This talk will focus on the challenges faced during the development, build and testing of this compact yet complex instrument, as well as the unique challenges of planetary missions in general. (Image credit: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona)