Future Lunar Exploration Activities - Call for ideas

Government of Canada

Issued by:
Canadian Space Agency
Space Exploration Development Directorate
6767 Route de l'Aéroport
Saint-Hubert, Quebec Canada J3Y 8Y9

Publication date: May 17, 2019

Application deadline: June 28, 2019

1. Purpose and scope

Canada is planning for future lunar exploration activities intended to: prepare Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled deep space exploration robotics technologies; to fly autonomous lunar science missions; to develop flight heritage for promising deep space exploration technologies; and, to advance autonomous medical systems to support astronaut health in space. Altogether, this series of activities will position Canada for possible participation in future space exploration missions of the Moon, Mars and beyond.

This Call for ideas offers Canadian, as well as international stakeholders, the opportunity to express an interest to any of the following activities on the surface of the Moon or its vicinity: undertake new science projects or expand on existing science activities; propose new concepts or expand on existing concepts for science payloads or missions; develop, advance and then demonstrate technological solutions for space exploration; and/or provide services enabling the demonstration of science and technology activities (e.g. launch/land capabilities). Activities proposed under this Call for ideas must be completed within the next five (5) years, i.e. before the end of March 2024.

Following receipt and analysis of the responses to this Call for ideas, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) may then choose to issue a variety of funding initiatives through grants, contributions and/or contracts awards. At that time, interested parties will have the opportunity to further develop their project concepts and submit them for funding.

Respondents should note that this Call for ideas is not related to the Government's announcement of Canada's contribution of an autonomous robotics system (a next-generation Canadarm) to the NASA-led Lunar Gateway.

2. Eligibility & deadline

Any Canadian or International organization, industry, academia or otherwise, can submit a response to this Call for ideas. Responses to this Call for ideas are not mandatory to be eligible to subsequent call for opportunities.

All responses must be submitted to CSA before Midnight (ET) June 28, 2019.

3. Framework

Proposed lunar exploration activities must support space mission(s) flying to the Moon or its vicinity with Canadian science payloads and/or technology demonstrations within 5 years. These missions would bring payloads and/or instruments in the vicinity of the Moon in the form of lunar orbiting satellite(s) and/or static/mobile lunar surface elements (ex. rover). The CSA is particularly interested in ideas for missions, payloads, technologies or instruments, that will enable Canada's space sector to take advantage of early flight opportunities to the Moon. These activities can also pave the way for the next generation of equivalent or larger contributions to future space exploration missions beyond 2024/2025 such as human lunar surface missions and Mars missions.

Proposed lunar exploration activities would ideally contribute to:

• Support Canadian Lunar exploration initiatives;
• Leverage past, on-going and planned investments in technology development;
• Support in-space demonstration of lunar related technologies;
• Conduct world class science such as, but not limited to, the scientific priorities elaborated in consultation with the Canadian scientific community in the Canadian Space Exploration: Science & Space Health Priorities 2017 report^{Footnote 1};
• Harnessing space to solve everyday challenges for Canadians such as improving remote medicine and health care, enhancing access to nutritious food and in other diverse areas;
• Leverage partnerships;
• Support the development of the commercial space industry in Canada;
• Maximize benefits and facilitate early demonstration and delivery of space capabilities.

As such, the Respondents to this Call for ideas must clearly identify the following key elements:

• The specific scientific, technologic and/or commercial goal(s) the mission/contribution will address and how;
• Description of the proposed science, technology, application or launch/delivery services to the Moon;
• Mission and approach to get to the destination within the specified timeline;
• Possible partnerships;
• Science and Technology readiness level;
• Impacts and benefits for Canada;
• Cost and feasibility;
• Opportunities and future development including a roadmap for subsequent contributions;
• Requirements for pre-space or space demonstration of the technology/science payload (if applicable) – i.e. Platforms, trajectories, etc.

It is emphasized that this Call for ideas is for planning and information purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government of Canada to enter into a financial agreement, nor will the Government of Canada pay for information solicited.

4. Guidelines

Responses to this Call for ideas will be an important consideration for CSA's strategic planning. In particular, the Respondents should address the following guidelines:

• Respondents must clearly demonstrate how the proposed project, services or capabilities would be linked or contribute to future Lunar exploration activities;
• The CSA encourages the formation of consortia made of industrial, academic, government and international partners to maximize the scientific, technological, economic and capability building outcomes;
• While the CSA might support up to 100% of the total project costs on a competitive basis, Respondents are encouraged, particularly for larger proposals, to identify other funding sources, financial or in-kind contribution from their own organization or contributing partners;
• Responses should address the questions provided in the relevant Response Submission Form: Appendix A is intended for Proponents of Canadian science payloads or technologies; Appendix B is intended for responses from Canadian or International services providers;
• Additional information such as project and corporate literature can also be provided as Appendices to the Response Submission Form.

The CSA does not intend to publicly disclose any proprietary or confidential information obtained during this Call for ideas. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Access to Information Act, any information identified by a respondent as "Proprietary" or "Confidential" will be kept confidential.

The information that the Respondents are invited to submit can be found in the Response Submission Forms provided as Appendices. The Respondent are free to format the response as they please but should ensure the legibility such as using a Times New Roman font of size 12 or larger.

The Response Submission Form must be submitted electronically by email to planification.exploration-exploration.planning@asc-csa.gc.ca or by mailing a digital media (e.g., USB key) to:

Please note that responses containing information identified by the submitter as "Proprietary" or "Confidential" should be sent by mail to ensure their secure delivery. If sent by email, please ensure that the document file does not exceed 10 MB in size. Digital media sent by mail will not be returned to the Respondents.

An online information session open to all Respondents will be held in English on Wednesday May 29, 2019 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. You can request access to this session via email to planification.exploration-exploration.planning@asc-csa.gc.ca. Please use "Information session (EN)" as the subject of your email.