A contract of $43 million to Canadensys Aerospace Corporation, from Bolton, Ont., and its industrial and academic partners has been made 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.
For the first time in history, a Canadian rover will be sent to the Moon and will help in the international search for water ice in the lunar soil. This rover is the outcome of decades of building and refining Canadian rover technology.
The rover will carry six scientific payloads (five Canadian and one American). With this contract, Canadensys will continue to innovate in 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,” said The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry. “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.”
