Federal SpaceMP Jay Aspin says federal funding for space-related projects last week will be good for local initiatives.

He says a renewed commitment by the Harper Government in the International Space Station and money for other projects like space robotics can only help.

Aspin says these announcements can only have a positive impact on North Bay as it seeks to have satellite launching capability and be part of any increase in space sector capacity.

Over $10-million is being invested so a robotics firm can provide technical support for the CanadaArm2.

He says the commitment to the International Space Station means Canadian Astronauts Jeremy Hansen and David Saint-Jacques will be exploring space within the next decade.