LONGUEUIL, QC, June 27, 2024 /CNW/ – The Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagneannounced today that MDA Space Inc. Brampton will receive $999.8 million to continue work and begin the design, construction and testing of Canadarm3. These are the final steps before Canada’s sophisticated robotic system is delivered to the Lunar Gateway space station, the next major international initiative in human space exploration.
Orbiting the Moon, the Gateway station will be located a thousand times further from Earth than the International Space Station (ISS). Astronauts will stay there occasionally, unlike the ISS, which is permanently inhabited. The Canadarm3 will be an essential element of the Gateway station: it will ensure inspection, maintenance and repair, move modules, conduct scientific experiments in lunar orbit, help astronauts released into the space and catch the spaceships that will be sent there. As in the case of the Gateway station, the Canadarm3 will operate with great autonomy, with a minimum of direct human intervention. This is a major advance in spacecraft capabilities.
Canada supports innovative small and medium-sized businesses and research organizations across the country. Thanks to the application of the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy, hundreds of Canadian organizations are expected to participate in the Canadarm3 project. In turn, these companies will have the opportunity to leverage their capabilities to support cutting-edge space activities, such as on-orbit maintenance, satellite refueling, mission enhancements, space debris management and the assembly of space infrastructures. Canadarm3 advances Canadian companies and their technologies.
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“This contract underscores the Government of Canada’s commitment to the next chapter of lunar exploration. Canadarm3 is part of our strategic investments in space robotics and underscores our commitment to supporting innovation. In addition to strengthening Canada’s role in developing and retaining top talent and world-class innovators, this initiative supports high-quality jobs and provides growth opportunities in our growing space sector.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
“For decades, Canadian robotics has played an essential and revolutionary role in the fields of assembly and maintenance of space systems as well as scientific research. Our expertise is recognized and sought after internationally. The Canadian Space Agency is proud to continue this rich legacy by developing and delivering the complex, next-generation Canadarm3 robotic system to Gateway Station. »
Lisa CampbellPresident, Canadian Space Agency
“We are entering an exciting period as Canadarm3 takes shape in our production facility. Canada’s participation in the Artemis program reinforces our country’s leadership and our space sector as we embark on a new era of space exploration. By leveraging Canadarm3-derived technology, MDA Space has launched a new line of commercial space robots that will provide customers around the world with access to the world’s most proven space robotics solutions and services.”
Mike GreenlyManaging Director, MDA Space
Quick facts
- Canadarm3, scheduled to launch in 2029 at the earliest, will consist of a large, next-generation robotic arm, a small, agile robotic arm and a set of specialized tools.
- Canadarm3 will be operated entirely from Canada. This will be a significant milestone in Canada’s capabilities and will ensure that Canada remains among the leading space nations.
- Over a period of 10 years, Canadarm3 investments are expected to create and maintain more than 1,000 well-paid jobs in an industrial sector that is among the most innovative and most heavily focused on research and development.
- In April 2024, MDA Space launched a series of commercial robotics products and services derived from Canadarm technology. Canadian space robots have been chosen for two commercial space stations under construction, Axiom Station (English only) and Starlab Space LLC (English only).
- By providing the Canadarm3 to the Gateway Station, Canada is ensuring a bright future for its space program, including being offered two seats on flights to the Moon, including the historic Artemis II mission of Jeremy Hansen. This contribution will also allow Canada to carry out cutting-edge technology demonstration and research activities that cannot be carried out on Earth.
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SOURCE Canadian Space Agency
Information: Canadian Space Agency, Media Relations Office, Telephone: 450-926-4370, Email: [email protected]
