The U.S. agency, NASA, which oversaw six moon landings that began on July 20, 1969 and ended in 1972, is creating something called the Lunar Gateway project.
It’s a platform that will orbit the moon that includes an outpost that will provide living space for astronauts, a docking station for visiting spacecraft and laboratories for research.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will be participating in the project.
Canada will develop a robotic system dubbed Canadarm 3 that will repair and help to maintain the Gateway space station.
“The Lunar Gateway will be one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by human beings to date,” Trudeau told an audience at the Canadian Space Agency outside Montreal, as Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques looked on from the International Space Station.
“Not only will this lunar outpost allow for a long-term lunar presence, it will also serve as a launch pad for Mars and beyond.
Canada is heading to the moon alongside NASA to participate in the Lunar Gateway
“Our allies have asked us to join them in reaching the new frontier. … Canada is going to the moon.”
Trudeau committed $2.05 billion over 24 years toward the Canadian space program and $150 million over five years toward the Lunar Gateway, which will be about 109 metres in length.
Last November, NASA’s top official came to Canada to make his pitch for the country to become involved in a U.S.-lead lunar space mission and it appeared Canada’s interest in the space and its surrounding industries was waning.
Canada’s space sector employs 10,000 workers and–according to government figures, generated $2.3 billion for the Canadian economy in 2017.
With files from CP, CBC, CTV, Montreal Gazette,Huffington Post
