International cooperation is a cornerstone of Canadian space policy and always has been.
It was the only means by which we could achieve our goals,
whether that was in communications, remote-sensing science, or technology development.
It’s not just a politically attractive thing, although there is a political aspect to it,
but it was an essential means by which we got to where we needed to be,
so it allowed us to lower the cost of programs.
I mean, can you imagine if we couldn’t – we couldn’t possibly afford a launch installation here.
So, right from the very beginning back to Alouette,
we – international cooperation was essential for launching our satellites’ technology.
Or the instruments we were flying [on] other people’s satellites, it was key to industry as well.
Allowed our industry to team up with other foreign companies.
It just – the program couldn’t have happened without it.
And, as you know, space is, by definition, international, right.