Leonard David's INSIDE OUTER SPACE

That hardware is Canadarm3, designed to repair and maintain the NASA-led Lunar Gateway.
Credit: Credit: CSA/NASA

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced Canada’s new partnership in the NASA-led Lunar Gateway by developing and contributing a smart robotic system.

That hardware is Canadarm3, designed to repair and maintain the Gateway.

This smart robotic system includes a next-generation robotic arm, equipment, and specialized tools. Using software and advances in artificial intelligence, this highly-autonomous system will be able to:

• maintain, repair and inspect the Gateway
• capture visiting vehicles
• relocate Gateway modules
• help astronauts during spacewalks
• enable science both in lunar orbit and on the surface of the Moon

Test site

The ability to perform these tasks without human intervention will be vital as the Gateway will not be crewed continuously, and communications delays caused by its lunar orbit will prevent direct real-time control of the robotic system from Earth.

Credit: CSA/NASA

The United States-led Lunar Gateway is an international collaboration in human space exploration. About one-fifth of the size of the International Space Station (ISS), it will orbit the Moon and serve as a science laboratory, test site for new technologies, as well as mission control for operations on the Moon.

The Gateway is expected to be fully functional in the Moon’s orbit around 2026.

Accelerator program

Also announced by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) on February 28 is a new Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program. This program would help Canadian businesses and academic institutions use and test new technologies in lunar orbit and on the surface of the Moon in the fields of health, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

“The program will spur innovation and new technologies that have applications here on Earth, and will help Canadians get prepared for the jobs of tomorrow in the new global space economy,” according to a CSA statement.

Historic investment

Prime Minister Trudeau explained: “Canada’s historic investment will create good jobs for Canadians, keep our astronaut program running and our aerospace industry strong and growing, while opening up a new realm of possibilities for Canadian research and innovation.”

“With the Lunar Gateway, Canada will play a major role in one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken,” Trudeau added. “Together, with our partners from around the world, we’ll continue to push the boundaries of human ambition, and inspire generations of kids – and adults – to always aim higher and aspire to something greater.”

Video: The Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau announces historic investments in Canada’s space program.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoMU4Kcdlww

Credit: Canadian Space Agency