Canadensys Aerospace Corporation receives $43M contract from federal government
by CM Staff
The Canadian lunar rover will fly as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative and would land in the south polar region of the Moon as early as 2026.
LONGUEUIL — On Nov. 14, François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced a $43M contract to Canadensys Aerospace Corporation (Canadensys), from Bolton, Ontario, and its industrial and academic partners to build the first Canadian lunar rover. The Canadian lunar rover will fly as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative and would land in the south polar region of the Moon as early as 2026.
A Canadian rover will be sent to the Moon and will help in the international search for water ice in the lunar soil, a key component for the future of human space exploration. This rover is the outcome of Canadian research in rover technology.
The rover will carry six scientific payloads (five Canadian and one American). It intends to perform meaningful science and demonstrate key technologies that will lay an important foundation for subsequent Canadian lunar exploration. With this contract, Canadensys will continue to research areas of technological strengths for Canada, like robotics, advanced vision systems and science instruments.
“Designing a rover that can withstand the harsh lunar environment is extremely complex, but today is proof that Canada’s space industry thrives on challenges and is ready to exceed expectations. This would not have been possible without Canadian ambition, skills and our talented workers. With this exciting mission ahead, Canadensys and its partners are strengthening Canada’s reputation as a world leader in the space industry,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
