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As it did for the Shuttle and Station programs before, the Canadian Space Agency, via a partnership with MacDonald, Dettwiler, and Associates, Inc., will build the next-generation robotic system: Canadarm3

This smart robotic system will be Canada’s contribution to the US-led Lunar Gateway station for the Artemis Program, the next major international collaboration in human space exploration — which forms the cornerstone of Canadian space strategy

“Our commitment to contribute Canadarm3 to the Lunar Gateway will generate high-quality jobs and economic benefits for Canadians,” said Navdeep Bains, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development.  “Canada will continue to push the boundaries of human ambition in space exploration, and inspire generations of kids.”

The Canadian Space Agency has over 40 years experience in flagship space robotics programs, having contributed:

Designed to be highly autonomous, Canadarm3 will be capable of performing tasks without human intervention, including the ability to maintain, repair, and inspect the Gateway, capture visiting vehicles, relocate Gateway modules, help astronauts during spacewalks, and enable science both in lunar orbit and on the surface of the Moon

Astronauts will also be able to repair the arm in space as Canadarm3 will be able to self-detach sections that can then be repaired inside the Lunar Gateway. 

In February 2019, the Canadian government announced the investment of over $2.05 billion CAD over 24 years as part of Canada’s participation in lunar initiatives.  The announcement made Canada the first country and second international partner (behind the supranational European Space Agency, which is providing the service module for Orion) to directly participate in the NASA-led effort to return to the Moon

(Credit: Canadian Space Agency)

Meanwhile, the Canadian Space Agency also launched a new initiative known as the Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP) that seeks to enable companies to develop commercial technologies designed to help humanity create a permanent human presence on the Moon. 

LEAP will also help conduct science experiments designed for lunar conditions and prepare for robotic and human missions.  It will also help demonstrate and advance innovative technologies in the fields of health, artificial intelligence, and robotics in lunar orbit, on the Moon’s surface, and in future deep space missions

Furthermore, in January 2020, two Canadian Space Agency astronauts, Dr

NASA’s Artemis Program and Lunar Gateway

Artemis is an ambitious human space program to return permanently to the Moon.  It will land the first persons on the Moon since the 1972 conclusion of the Apollo lunar program

A critical component of NASA’s Artemis Program is the Lunar Gateway, an in-development space station in lunar orbit intended to serve as a solar-powered communication hub, science laboratory, short-time habitation module, and holding area for rovers and other robots. 

The Gateway itself will provide vital support for a sustainable, long-term human return to the lunar surface, as well as a staging point for deep space exploration. 

While the Gateway project is led by NASA, it is meant to be developed, serviced, and utilized in collaboration with commercial and international partners, including SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency

While the Gateway is planned to have many modules contributed by NASA and international partners, NASA has focused Gateway development on the initial critical modules required for a proposed 2024 human lunar landing