MDA has been awarded a contract by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to undertake a Phase A initial design study for a Canadian Lunar Rover mission to the Moon. As part of the CSA's Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP), the Lunar Rover will advance eight key technologies that are foundational building blocks for planetary rovers, including mobility, communications, operations, thermal control for lunar night survival, power generation and storage, and semi-autonomous plus autonomous operations.
The rover will conduct its mission at the South Pole of the Moon, providing the opportunity to explore resources in the permanently shadowed regions, including lunar volatiles and water ice, as well as thermal and radiation safety analysis for future human lunar landings.
MDA has assembled a world-leading team of Canadian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and scientific and academic experts to deliver the LEAP Lunar Rover, paving the way for Canada to establish technologies and capabilities that feed into future commercial lunar supply chains.
"We are proud to lead this highly capable and experienced technical and academic team. with this depth of talent, we believe that our team will surpass the goals of the CSA's mission while developing state-of-the-art technologies and scientific approaches that will position MDA and the Canadian space industry for the rapidly-growing global space economy, paving the way for future commercial applications on the lunar surface and beyond," said Mike Greenley, Chief Executive Officer, MDA
"The science gathered from this mission will position canada at the forefront of lunar resource planning and prospecting, and will ensure that Canadian science team members will be contributing to an international effort with unique and important measurements, datasets and interpretations. This opportunity will also allow us to train the next generation of Canadian planetary scientists and engineers and grow capability within our scientific community." said Professor Michael Daly, Director of the Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, and York Research Chair in Planetary Science, York University
Related Links
MDA
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more
| Tweet |
Thanks for being here;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution. | ||
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once credit card or paypal | SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5 Billed Monthly paypal only |
NASA outlines challenges, progress for Artemis Moon Missions
Washington DC (SPX) Nov 10, 2021
In the first major Artemis update provided under the Biden-Harris Administration, NASA leadership discussed Tuesday the challenges and progress of America's lunar exploration plans and reiterated a long-term commitment to exploring the Moon and sending astronauts to Mars. The update follows a judge's recent decision to uphold NASA's selection of SpaceX to develop and demonstrate a modern human lunar lander for returning astronauts to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. NASA Ad ... read more