Prairie scientists have their eye on Mars

Did you know if you want to break into the space industry, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are now a place you can do it?

Space research and design is going strong on the Canadian prairies. 

All four of Manitoba and Saskatchewan’s primary universities have teams working on satellites, rovers, rockets, planetary research and astronomical studies that will help the human race understand our planet and solar system better. 

Over the summer, Winnipeg writer Rob Swystun looked at all that is happening in Regina, Saskatoon and Winnipeg when it comes to space research. Below is some of what he learned.

University of Winnipeg researchers help explore Mars

In a small room located at the downtown campus of the University of Winnipeg, a canister about the size of half a soup can contains hundreds of tiny pebbles. And while these pebbles come from Earth, the canister’s interior replicates the conditions those pebbles would experience if they were on Mars. 
 
This and several other small lab rooms make up the Centre for Terrestrial and Planetary Exploration (C-TAPE), where director Dr. Ed Cloutis, a geology professor at the school, oversees research work done by UWinnipeg students. 
 
The device with the pebbles is known as a vacuum chamber.
 
“We can simulate the conditions on the moon or on Mars. Mostly what we do is we expose geological samples to Mars conditions,” Cloutis explained during a recent tour of the facility.
 
Researchers want to see how various minerals and rocks might react in a Mars environment to make them easier to identify if found on Mars.

Read the rest of the story.
 

Where did the summer go?

Can you believe it? Summer’s just slipped right through our fingers, and now we’ve rolled into September.

For those of you who’ve been reading this publication for a while, you know I’ve been on the move. Last summer, I waved goodbye to the Pierceland, Saskatchewan area (five hours north of Saskatoon), and set up camp in Moose Jaw. 

But my husband’s job has us hopping around the Prairies again, and this time, we’ve made tracks to Winnipeg.

Well, I should clarify – I’m the one who made the move to the ‘Peg, because my better half is on a course in Ontario until December. So, I’ve been managing the interprovincial move by myself.

We’re crossing our fingers that this will be our last major move for my husband’s career.

I’ll be back in Saskatchewan often as most of my family lives in the Regina area.

Meanwhile, some of you might’ve noticed that The Flatlander was on a bit of a summer siesta when it comes to publishing.

Between the big move and a visit from my brother, who flew in from overseas after four long years of being unable to travel thanks to the pandemic, my summer was busy.

So your continued support of The Flatlander during its recent fallow season is appreciated.

While my brother was back in town, we hit up all our favourite Prairie tourism spots, like the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina, the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre down in Moose Jaw, and, of course, the Assiniboine Park Zoo over in Winnipeg. Good times, good times
 

Share your summer stories

What are your stories from over the summer holidays?

What are your absolute must-visit spots when out-of-towners swing by?

And, remember that question I tossed out in spring about your favourite memories of summer farm life? It’s still on the table.

I’d love to read your stories and share them, just like we did back around Christmas and Halloween.

You can email your stories to me directly at kellyriess@theflatlander.ca or simply by replying to this email. 

Five stories from Manitoba you may have missed

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2. Memory garden brings joy to aging seniors
3. Historic church in Minnedosa making way for new facility
4. Rural Manitoba councillors push for independent referendum on controversial silica mine project
5. Two lawyers barred from practising in Manitoba after judge followed

Five stories from Saskatchewan you may have missed

1. How a walk across parts of Saskatchewan tries to reconcile shared history
2. Melfort fire chief competes at 2023 World Police and Fire Games
3. Climate change and wildfires the new norm
4. Planning improved capacity is ‘critical’ for long-term flood prevention in Sask.
5. Mine tour an eye-opening experience