Canada joins NASA's Moon Gate Project

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After having partnered with the United States in its space ambitions for decades, Canada is committed to continuing this relationship by joining NASA's Lunar Bridge project.

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Having participated in space activities in the United States for decades with the Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs, Canada is committed to continuing this partnership and joining the Lunar Gateway Project, led by NASA.

Part of NASA's efforts to send humans back to the moon includes building an outpost encircling an almost straight halo orbit around the moon. This "space station" would be much smaller than the International Space Station and could help crews for several months at a time. Finally, it would be used as a base camp to send astronauts to the lunar surface.

"We are delighted that Canada is an essential ally in this lunar journey, as it becomes the first international partner of Gateway's Lunar Outpost with its 24-year commitment to exploration and collaboration in the deep space, "said Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator, in a statement. .

For their part, the Canadian Space Agency and the Canadian government have committed more than $ 2 billion over 24 years to develop and operate a next-generation robotic arm called Canadarm3 to serve the bridge.

"Canada's historic investment will create good jobs for Canadians, ensure the continuity of our astronaut program and our aerospace industry, while opening up a new field of opportunity for research and innovation." Canadian innovation, "said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a press conference" Canada's Commitment. "Thanks to the lunar entrance, Canada will play a major role in the One of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken Together with our partners around the world, we will continue to push the boundaries of human ambition and inspire generations of children and young people. adults to aim higher and aspire to something bigger. "

The most visible part of the space partnership between Canada and the United States is its contribution to robotics. The original design of the Canadarm was based on all NASA space shuttles. On almost all of the iconic photos of this era, the Canadian Flag Arm is present, including during the deployment of iconic spacecraft such as the Hubble Space Telescope.

In addition, the Canadarm was used during the initial construction phase of the International Space Station. The task of moving huge modules into space would however be entrusted to a newer, more efficient handling system called Canadarm2.

The Canadarm2 was launched aboard Space Shuttle Endeavor's STS-100 mission in 2001. It would later be joined by the special-purpose agile manipulator, Dextre, as a "robotic hand" associated with Canadarm2.

Over the years, Canadarm2 and Dextre have served the International Space Station by assisting astronauts on spacewalks, moving modules, capturing sightseeing vehicles and mooring them, deploying CubeSats, doing experiments and more.

The proposed Canadarm3 would take these capabilities to the next level by integrating autonomy and artificial intelligence into the design.

Unlike the International Space Station, the Moon Bridge is not designed to be permanently manned. It will host astronauts for several months throughout their mission, be it orbital (as originally planned) or as a starting point for surface exits using reusable commercial landing systems.

As such, Canadarm3 should be able to perform tasks with minimal human intervention in a much harder environment than low Earth orbit.

"Canada's technological achievements as part of Gateway's Lunar Outpost will help create the critical backbone for commercial partnerships and other international partnerships to reach the Moon and then Mars," said Bridenstine. "We are excited to be working with Canada on the next generation of its robotics to carry out incredible missions at Gateway's lunar outpost and to collaborate for our future on the lunar surface and in deep spaces."

The association of NASA beyond its Earth orbit would allow Canada to continue its activities in space. According to a press release issued by the Canadian Space Agency, the country's space sector employs 10,000 highly skilled workers. Its economy generated $ 2.3 billion in 2017 and sales of more than $ 2.1 billion.

Canada is also committed to continuing its participation in the United States in the International Space Station program and should remain a key partner in the near future.

The first modules of the ISS were launched in 1998 and astronauts have been living aboard the Low Earth Orbit Outpost since 2000. During this period, three Canadian astronauts lived onboard it. during long-term missions. The most recent, David Saint-Jacques, has been at the station since December 2018 and is expected to return to Earth in June 2019.

Between ISS and Space Shuttle programs, eight Canadians flew 17 flights in space. Three of these missions were long-duration flights aboard the ISS (including the ongoing mission 58/59 of St. James).

At present, the US government must end its funding commitment to the ISS in 2024; however, the US Congress has been striving to extend this commitment to 2028 or even 2030 in order to give the commercial sector more time to establish a sustainable low-Earth orbit by resuming parts of the outpost, which is now 20 years old, by launching smaller, more goal-oriented orbital platforms.

"As we head towards the Moon, we are moving into a Gateway Lunar Outpost, where astronauts can live and work in orbit and from where we can go to the lunar surface again and again," said Bridenstine. "We have launched the process for industry partners to deliver the first scientific instruments and technical demonstrations on the surface of the moon, and we will continue this momentum until we have built undercarriages. humans to bring us back to the Moon from here 2028.. "

Video provided by the Canadian Space Agency

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