Humanity\u2019s next steps in space exploration are focused on exploring like we never have before: returning to the Moon to establish a permanent, sustainable base as we move on to stepping foot on Mars \u2014 all of which the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is actively participating in.<\/p>\n
While the contribution to the upcoming Lunar Gateway in the form of \u2014 among other things \u2014 Canadarm3 has been in work for over a year at this point, the first flight contribution from Canada for the lunar settlement initiative is scheduled to come in the form of the Lunar Leap Accelerator Program (LEAP) rover to help better understand how we can maintain a continued human presence on these celestial terrains.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
LEAP objectives and MDA<\/p>\n
The LEAP rover will be approximately 24 kg and will be capable of surviving at least two lunar days and one lunar night, which is equal to 42 days on Earth. The rover will carry a minimum of two scientific payloads totaling 6 kg, one of which is sponsored by NASA.<\/p>\n
The mission\u2019s primary goal will be to test the integration of artificial intelligence with robotics as well as collect vital scientific data through partnerships with academia and industry.<\/p>\n
MDA leads one of two teams down-selected to perform a Phase A study for the development of CSA\u2019s first lunar rover. CSA will select one team in 2022 to build the rover.<\/p>\n
Speaking with NASASpaceflight\u2019s Nathan Barker and Chris Gebhardt, former Space Shuttle and long-duration International Space Station veteran, and now MDA\u2019s Vice President of Robotics and Space Operations, Tim Kopra said: \u201cWhat\u2019s fascinating about this, about this entire program, in fact the overall effort to go to the Moon, is that we haven\u2019t been there for a long time and there\u2019s lots that we don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n
NASA mission updates (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n