Welcome to the homepage of the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX) at The University of Western Ontario. With over 50 faculty and 30 graduate students from 10 different departments across campus, this is the largest such group in the country. The goal of this Centre is to make Western the focus for planetary science and exploration research in Canada and to establish Western as a leading school for space systems design. This will enable the training of highly qualified personnel and provide Canadian industry with the necessary expertise and potential partners in future planetary mission activities. Our vision is that the establishment of such a Centre at Western will benefit the entire Canadian space community as we inspire and train the next generation of scientists and engineers.
The primary objectives of CPSX are to:
- Develop clear leadership in Planetary Science and Exploration research in Canada by developing interdisciplinary linkages between various faculties at Western;
- Create a vibrant, research-intensive learning environment, which will attract high calibre undergraduate and graduate students to Western.
- Provide a service to the Canadian space community by running summer schools, courses, and workshops.
- Form strategic partnerships with NASA, ESA, and Canadian industry.
- Become Canada ’s only node in the newly established NASA Lunar Science Institute network and build a lunar science community in Canada.
- Establish a national Canadian Astromaterials Facility (CAF) with the infrastructure necessary to meet Canada ’s space exploration vision and to prepare for the return of samples from the Moon, Mars and other planetary bodies, and to allow for the handling and analysis of extraterrestrial samples already collected.
The Geological Association of Canada has just formed a new Planetary Sciences Division! Check it out here!
Our very own Dr. Gordon Osinski was on the "Worlds Beyond Earth" discussion panel at the Quantum to Cosmos festival in Waterloo Oct 15-25, 2009. You can watch the panel video HERE!
Western is proud to announce the formation of the NEW Centre for Planetary Science & Exploration (CPSX), and to be home of the NEW Canadian Node of NASA's Lunar Science Institute!
Fall/Winter 2009/10 Colloquia listings
Fall/Winter 2009/10 Planetary Science & Exploration Research Forum (PSERF) Meetings
Space Society of London (SSoL) Event listings
Thursday, March 25th, 2010
7th Annual Planetary Science & Exploration Public Lecture!
Dr. Lynn Rothschild from the NASA Ames is presenting a talk entitled: "Life in Extreme Environments" from 7-8pm is SomervilleHouse room 3345, followed by a reception at Michael's Garden.
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009
CPSX and CLRN are hosting the NASA Lunar Science Institute's Fall 2009 Director's Seminar Series!
Topic: "The Lunar Cataclysm Hypothesis & Implications for the Entire Solar System"
View this virtual seminar in WSC 148 at 12:00pm. All are welcome!
Friday October 9th, 2009 -"LCROSS for Breakfast"
Meet at the Cronyn Observatory 5:30am Friday morning for some stargazing, breakfast will be provided compliments of CLRN and CPSX, followed by a NASA TV viewing of the LCROSS impact into the Moon at 7:30am sharp! All are welcome!
Fri Feb 27th, 2007: Grand Opening of the Centre for Planetary Science & Exploration (CPSX) and the Canadian Network for Lunar Science and Exploration (CNLSE).
Canadian Lunar Research Network