University of Toronto

Published purpose

CARAT is a space-based instrument that will fly in low-Earth orbit on a CubeSat and act as a known reference source for Canadian and other ground-based radio telescopes. This “artificial radio star” can be observed, tracked, and used to calibrate their receivers to greatly improve their accuracy. This project will develop and test the payload for CARAT to prepare it for a future flight and involves the development of several cutting-edge space technologies, increasing their technology readiness level in the process. The project will also train personnel in space-related areas, particularly CubeSat payloads and technology as well as radio astronomy, to build greater space capacity in Canada.