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Speakers' kit - Canada's role in Moon exploration

Resources that experts can use to deliver presentations about Canada's role in Moon exploration to audiences across Canada.

Presentation

A white maple leaf outline. Inside the outline, Earth, the Moon and Mars are lined up vertically

Humanity's return to the Moon

Thank you for having me here today. I am thrilled to talk to you about Canada's role in lunar exploration.

Over 50 years ago, human beings first stepped on the Moon – our planet's only natural satellite.

After maintaining continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station for over 20 years, only 400 kilometres above our planet, humanity is now getting ready to return to the Moon, a destination 1,000 times farther than the Space Station. And this time, the goal of this major international collaboration in human space exploration is to send humans deeper into space than we have ever been.

Canada's role

Canada will be part of this great endeavour!

  • A Canadian astronaut will fly to the Moon on the historic Artemis II mission!
  • Canada is contributing to NASA's Artemis campaign, a multi-mission campaign that will push human space exploration to the Moon and on to Mars. The campaign includes major initiatives like the Artemis missions and Gateway.
  • The Canadian Space Agency's Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP) funds a wide range of opportunities for Canadian science and technology activities in lunar orbit and on the Moon's surface.

Text version: Canada's role in Moon exploration (Credit: CSA)

Artist's concept of the Orion spacecraft with four solar panels flying in space, with part of Earth seen at the top of the image

The NASA-led Artemis campaign

Artemis is a new chapter of lunar exploration designed to send humans farther into space than ever before.

These increasingly complex missions lay the foundation for sustainable human and robotic exploration of the Moon, and onward to Mars.

Like the Apollo program over 50 years ago, Artemis begins with missions around the Moon before a mission that lands on the lunar surface.

After Artemis I, the successful uncrewed test flight that took place in , comes Artemis II, currently planned for launch no earlier than .

Through the Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of colour on the lunar surface.

Text version: Artemis Missions. Artemis I: an uncrewed test flight; Artemis II: a crewed test flight; Artemis III: astronauts fly to the Moon. (Credit: NASA)

Astronaut Jeremy Hansen standing and smiling. He is wearing an orange space suit

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen

And for the first time, a Canadian will make history by flying around the Moon.

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be part of a new generation of space explorers.

With Artemis II, Canada will become the second country to have an astronaut fly around the Moon.

Canada's seat is assured by Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jenni Gibbons, who is assigned as the Canadian backup on the mission. She is taking all the same training and will be ready to step in if Jeremy is unable to take part.

Jeremy will bring Canadians along on his journey to the Moon by sharing about his training, preparation, and mission through video logs, or vlogs, and on social media. Be sure to follow for updates!

Text version: CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen. (Credit: NASA)

Group photo of the four astronauts assigned to the Artemis II mission. They are all wearing orange space suits

Artemis II crew

Jeremy will join three NASA astronauts: Commander Reid Wiseman (sitting, in the middle), pilot Victor Glover (standing in the back), and mission specialist Christina Koch (standing to the left) aboard the Orion spacecraft.

They will spend approximately 10 days away from Earth as they test Orion's systems in Earth orbit and proceed onward to the far side of the Moon.

Credits: Artemis II crew: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina H. Koch, Jeremy Hansen (Credit: NASA)

Artist's concept of Gateway and Canadarm3, which is orbiting the Moon. The Moon can be seen in the background.

Jeremy Hansen is part of the Artemis II flight thanks to Canada's contribution to Gateway.

Gateway:

  • is a small space station that will orbit the Moon
  • is about one-sixth the size of the International Space Station
  • will include modules for science research and living quarters for crews of four astronauts
  • is an international partnership led by NASA
  • The first two elements of Gateway – the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) and the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) – will launch together no earlier than . Other modules will be added afterwards.
  • Canada's contribution, Canadarm3, is scheduled to launch no earlier than .
  • Gateway is expected to support science and technology demonstrations by . Canada will have the opportunity to conduct a variety of scientific experiments aboard Gateway.
  • Gateway will be:
    • a science laboratory
    • a testbed for new technologies
    • a rendezvous location for exploration of the surface of the Moon
    • a mission control centre for operations on the Moon
    • one day, a stepping stone for voyages to Mars

Credits: NASA, Alberto Bertolin, Bradley Reynolds

Artist's concept of Canadarm3's large arm, featuring the Canada wordmark. It is attached to Gateway, which is orbiting the Moon. Earth can be seen in the distance.

Canada's contribution: Canadarm3

  • Canadian robotic system that will perform some tasks around the Moon without human intervention.
  • The system will also be operated by robotics flight controllers in Canada, or by Gateway crew.
  • could be used to
    • maintain, repair and inspect Gateway
    • relocate Gateway modules
    • help astronauts during spacewalks
    • enable science in lunar orbit
    • catch spacecraft visiting Gateway

Text version: Canadarm3 (Credit: NASA/NASA)

Artist's concept of Canadarm3's large arm, featuring the Canada wordmark. It is attached to Gateway. The Moon can be seen in the background.

Canadarm3

  • is composed of:
    • a large arm
    • a small, agile arm that:
      • will transfer mission-critical material between the interior and exterior of the space station
      • will repair the large arm if necessary
    • a set of detachable tools
  • will be able to travel the entire length of Gateway by moving end-over-end with anchoring "hands"
  • What Canada gets in return
    • opportunities for science on the Moon's surface and in lunar orbit
    • technology demonstrations
    • commercial activities, as Canadian companies will be given a wide range of opportunities to test innovative technologies in lunar orbit and on the lunar surface
    • two astronaut flights: Jeremy Hansen's historic participation in Artemis II and another flight to Gateway

Credits: Alberto Bertolin, Bradley Reynolds

Artist's concept of two people in white space suits standing on a planetary surface looking at a dark starry sky.

Opportunities for lunar science and technology

A lot of technology development and science are needed to support these exciting missions ahead.

The Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP) opens doors to a wide range of opportunities for Canadian science and technology activities in lunar orbit or on the Moon's surface.

Text version: LEAP: Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (Credit: CSA)

Artist's concept of two people in white space suits on a planetary surface. They are examining a plant.

Advances in remote healthcare

An important challenge of these long missions to the Moon and Mars is to keep astronauts safe and healthy.

Astronauts in space have limited access to healthcare providers and medical resources, as well as long travel times to healthcare facilities. These are in fact similar to challenges faced by people living in remote communities here on Earth.

Through LEAP's health-based initiative, Health Beyond, the Canadian Space Agency is working closely with experts to find solutions in remote and autonomous healthcare that will benefit both astronauts in space and Canadians living in remote areas.

Text version: Remote healthcare (Credit: CSA)

Artist's concept of a lunar rover on the sandy, grey surface of the Moon.

Food production

Another aspect to consider when planning for future missions is food availability and production. Astronauts on the International Space Station not only bring food with them, but they can also get fresh food shipped from Earth on a regular basis. Astronauts taking part in longer missions in deeper space will need to be more self-sufficient.

The Canadian Space Agency is supporting the development of efficient techniques for growing food in harsh environments both in space and on Earth.

Technologies designed to produce tasty and nutritious food with minimal resources are not only for use on long-duration space missions, but also have the potential to benefit people living in remote and harsh environments like Canada's North.

Text version: Food production (Credit: CSA)

Artist's concept of a lunar base, with a lunar habitation module, plants, rows of solar panels, and lunar vehicles. Earth is seen in the distance

Lunar exploration

Canadian lunar rover

  • Canada is sending a rover to the Moon!
  • The development, launch, and operation of a Canadian lunar rover is one of the exciting technology demonstrations under LEAP.
  • Canadensys is building the rover and developing its Canadian payloads.
  • The science rover will:
    • be designed to survive a lunar night – which lasts 14 Earth days and is extremely cold and dark
    • explore the Moon's south pole to find water ice
    • be sent to the Moon no earlier than

The rover will navigate the surface of the Moon to test and demonstrate key systems like surface mobility, telecommunications, dust mitigation, navigation, and remote semi-autonomous control. The hydrogen and oxygen from lunar water ice could be used as fuel for future missions to Mars!

Text version: Canadian lunar rover (Credit: CSA)

Artist's concept of the Orion spacecraft with four solar panels flying over the Moon, with Earth seen in the distance

Lunar utility vehicle

Canada will also design, build and operate a lunar utility vehicle.

The Canadian lunar utility vehicle will be available to provide critical assistance to astronauts on the Moon and support operations.

Investments through the next phase of LEAP will enable the development of new technologies for the lunar utility vehicle.

Text version: Lunar utility vehicle (Credit: ESA – P. Carril)

Artist's concept of the Orion spacecraft with four solar panels flying over the Moon, with Earth seen in the distance

Conclusion

These are exciting times for Canada!

  • This new era of lunar exploration provides opportunities for Canadian companies and researchers, who are ready to take advantage of this international effort by contributing smart innovations, cutting edge technologies, and world-leading science.
  • These upcoming missions to new destinations will inspire young Canadians to reach for the stars and become the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers.

Credit: NASA/Liam Yanulis

Five social media logos are in a speech balloon. Part of Earth is seen below. The following words are in French and English: Follow us on social media

End – CSA website and social media

To stay up to date on Canada's role in going back to the Moon, visit the Canadian Space Agency's website and follow us on social media.

Text version: Follow us on social media. Suivez-nous dans les médias sociaux. asc-csa.gc.ca (Credit: CSA, NASA)

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