A Canadian utility rover on the Moon
- Launch: No earlier than
- Mission status: Concept development
In , three Canadian companies were awarded contracts totaling $14.6 million to advance the development of the new Canadian lunar utility rover. Over the next 18 months, Canadensys Aerospace Corporation, MDA Space and Mission Control will conduct preparatory studies to assess different options for the rover, including potential capacities depending on different sizes and scope.
Supporting logistics, crew operations, and science on the lunar surface
Rovers will be key to a sustainable human presence on the Moon. They will be used for transportation, logistics, science, and other operations that can be accomplished with robotic tools. They will allow astronauts to focus on tasks where human judgment and initiative are required.
Canada is developing a versatile utility rover to contribute to Moon exploration efforts led by space agencies around the world. This Canadian rover may be used to:
- handle logistics tasks, such as moving cargo packages from their landing sites to the habitats and performing construction activities (e.g. preparing landing pads and laying cables)
- perform science investigations, such as scouting for navigation and surveying for ice or other resources
- support astronauts during spacewalks on the lunar surface
Key capabilities
The Canadian multi-purpose utility rover will notably be designed to:
- support a lifespan of minimum 10 years;
- survive the roughly two-week-long lunar night, with temperatures as low as -200 °C
- be operated from a Canadian operations centre on Earth and by astronauts on the Moon or in orbit around the Moon
- utilize robotic tools, scientific instruments and advanced sensors to support operations on the Moon
The project is still in early concept development. Canadian companies will be selected as part of a competitive process to further develop concepts leading to the design, development, and operation of the multi-purpose utility rover. The rover is planned to be launched in the 2030s.
Leveraging Canada's heritage in space robotics
Contributing rovers as part of the international effort to establish a long-term presence on the Moon builds on Canada's expertise in space robotics and on continued development in rover technologies.