The Canadian Space Agency funds novel ideas for potential Moon infrastructure
As humanity tackles the challenges of creating a permanent human presence on the Moon, multiple Canadian companies will undertake seven concept studies. These reports will help develop capabilities and define potential Canadian infrastructure contributions on the Moon's surface.
These proposed solutions, selected following a Request for Proposals, aim to develop technologies and expertise that would support commercial interests and enable lunar science. Once the concept studies are completed, five solutions may be selected to move to the next step – prototyping.
The studies funded focus on five main areas:
- Agriculture and food production
- Autonomous and intelligent robots and rovers
- Avionics and communication
- Mining and In-situ resource utilization
- Power generation and distribution
| Company | Project summary | Amount awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Canadensys | Will develop a concept for a lunar greenhouse designed to support crewed lunar habitation. | $249,998 |
| Canadensys | Will assess possibilities for modular surface rovers ranging from micro-rovers to large, pressurized rovers capable of transporting humans. | $249,995 |
| Canadian Space Mining Corporation | Will evaluate prospecting in lunar orbit and on the surface. The study will consider mining and construction capabilities as well as in-situ processing of resources. | $248,000 |
| Honeywell | Will develop a plan to build a lunar communications network for systems in lunar orbit and on the surface. | $250,000 |
| MDA Ltd. | Will outline technologies and a road map for autonomous and intelligent robots and rovers for use on the lunar surface. | $250,000 |
| MDA Ltd. | Will provide a concept for a Canadian-led nuclear power system for use on the lunar surface. | $250,000 |
| MPB Communications Inc. | Will focus on optical communications between Earth and the Moon, including ground stations on the lunar surface. | $249,884 |