January 1, 2026
Project overview
APEX is a modular CubeSat platform (ranging from 1U to 12U) designed to accelerate space mission deployment through interchangeable payloads. Equipped with onboard artificial intelligence, it enables data processing directly in orbit, significantly reducing reliance on ground stations.
The goal is to make space missions more accessible, agile and cost-effective, while establishing Canada's sovereignty in Earth observation and space systems.
The Challenge
Today, Canadian space operators lack a modular, reusable CubeSat platform capable of rapidly launching missions with diverse payloads without the need to rebuild an entire satellite from scratch every time.
This capability gap results in high costs, long lead times and a growing dependence on foreign infrastructure and data for highly critical applications.
René Jr. Landry is a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at ÉTS and Director of LASSENA.
Project objectives
- Develop a modular, reusable CubeSat platform
- Enable rapid integration of scientific and industrial payloads
- Integrate onboard artificial intelligence for in-orbit processing
- Reduce data transmission latency
- Strengthen Canadian space sovereignty
The APEX solution
- Modular CubeSat platform
Flexible Architecture (1U to 12U) enables the integration of interchangeable payloads without requiring the redesign of the flight bus. - Onboard AI – ODIN (Onboard Data Intelligence Engine)
The ODIN system enables data processing directly in orbit, transmitting only optimized results via an SDR link secured by post-quantum encryption. - Secure communications
Data transmission is powered by an SDR link featuring advanced encryption, minimizing data volumes sent to ground stations.
Innovation and key differentiators
- Reusable platform without requiring bus requalification
- Reduced deployment costs and timelines
- < 20 minutes latency from sensor to field (compared to several hours with current tools)
- ~3 minutes of onboard processing on Jetson Orin Nano
- Complete sovereignty over the data chain; no foreign intermediaries
Applications
- Defence and national security
- Northern surveillance
- Wildfire and environmental risk management
- Precision agriculture and natural resources
- Critical infrastructure
- Academic research
Results and validation
- The ProtoSat A-0.1 “Borealis” prototype is operational, and the Critical Design Review (CDR) was completed ahead of schedule.
- The ODIN system has achieved alpha version validation on the onboard computer.
- A stratospheric balloon launch (CAN-SBX) is scheduled for 2026 to validate the system in near-space conditions.
Technological challenges
- Qualifying AI algorithms for space environments (radiation hardening and thermal cycling resistance)
- Integrating optical payloads onto the orbital platform
- Accessing test infrastructure tailored for CubeSats (thermal-vacuum and vibration testing)
- Developing inter-satellite architecture and Direct-to-Cell (DTC) relays for the constellation phase
Technology readiness level (TRL)
The project is currently at TRL 4 to TRL 5, with laboratory validation completed and stratospheric environment testing scheduled for the summer of 2026. The orbital launch of the prototype is planned for 2028–2029.
Acceleration drivers
- Funding for flight bus space qualification and ground segment development
- Partnerships for operational validation
- Access to the CUBICS initiative (CSA) for the prototype’s orbital launch
- Industrial expertise in space-grade computing and inter-satellite links
Partnerships
Active partners
- LASSENA / ÉTS (Montréal)
- SEDS Canada
- Canadian Space Agency (CAN-SBX program)
Sought-after partnerships
- Federal agencies (DND, NRCan, ISED, CSA) for funding and launch access
- Operators looking to deploy a payload on a platform with flight heritage
- Companies specializing in space optics, embedded computing and secure communications
Questions?
