UVic’s Centre for Aerospace Research Receives $2.8M Award to Build Satellite to Advance Canada’s Communication Capability in the Arctic

The University of Victoria’s Centre for Aerospace Research (CfAR) has received a $2.82-million contract from Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to design, build, and launch a new satellite. The project is part of Canada’s Space Low Earth Orbit (SpaceLEO) program, which supports research to create faster, more reliable communications from space, with a focus on Canada’s Arctic regions. 

CfAR is one of only three teams in Canada chosen for this competitive program. Its satellite, planned for launch in November 2027, will test new ways to send and receive data using commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations. These smaller satellites orbit much closer to Earth than satellites in geostationary orbit, allowing coverage to be improved in northern and remote areas in previously impossible ways.  

“We’re honoured to be selected alongside two excellent Canadian teams,” says Dr. Afzal Suleman, Director of CfAR and Canada Research Chair in Computational and Experimental Mechanics. “This project fits perfectly with our goal of creating leading-edge space technology and training the next generation of aerospace engineers.”  

Through the new DRDC contract, CfAR will lead every stage of the mission—from designing and building the satellite to testing, launching, and operating it once it’s in orbit. The work will take place at CfAR’s advanced facilities on the University of Victoria campus, and in Sidney, BC, where engineers, staff, and students will collaborate on everything from electronics and systems integration to mission operations. Partnering with Profs. Peter Driessen, Lin Cai, and Jianping Pan in the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, the team will also develop the next generation of intelligent satellite communication systems to dramatically expand coverage and connectivity across Canada’s northern and polar regions, strengthening national resilience and sovereignty in these critical areas. 

The project will also give UVic students hands-on experience in spacecraft design, data systems, and mission planning, teaching skills that are increasingly in demand across Canada’s aerospace and defence sectors. CfAR has long been a bridge between academic learning and real-world innovation, helping students turn classroom theory into practical experience.  

That connection between research and education is growing even stronger with the launch of UVic’s new Master of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering (MEng ASE) in Fall 2026. The one-year, course-based professional program will prepare students for advanced careers in aeronautics, spacecraft systems, propulsion, and flight testing, drawing directly on the expertise and research capacity developed through CfAR.  

“CfAR gives our students a rare opportunity to work on live aerospace projects” says Suleman. “With the new MEng in Aerospace Engineering, UVic will be one of the few universities in Canada offering this full spectrum of education and research in aerospace.”  

CfAR joins Galaxia Mission Systems and C-CORE as one of three organizations funded through the SpaceLEO program. Together, these projects will help shape the design of future Canadian satellite systems that support secure communications, national research, and space operations.  

Founded in 2012, CfAR is a leader in aerospace and space innovation at UVic. The centre develops everything from unmanned aircraft to CubeSats and works with major partners such as Boeing, Embraer, and Bombardier. With the SpaceLEO contract and the upcoming Aerospace Systems Engineering MEng, UVic is cementing its position as a national hub for hands-on aerospace research, training, and innovation.