Canada Invests $14.6 Million to Get Cars on the Moon

The Canadian government wants to go all the way off-road and announced this week that it will invest millions to develop a vehicle that can drive along the final frontier: space. More specifically, the moon.

The feds announced that they have awarded three contracts totalling $14.6 million to three Canadian companies that will conduct studies and develop technology options to get a lunar rover on the moon. The companies are Canaensys Aerospace Corporation, MDA Space, and Mission Control and they are tasked with creating a proposal for a Lunar Utility Vehicle (LUV).

The project is part of Canada’s contribution to the international Artemis mission, which aims to set up Gateway, a science lab, testbed, and hub for future space exploration that will be established on the moon. The LUV will provide assistance to astronauts by transporting cargo, helping with logistics, and aiding with construction projects — basically, it’s doing truck stuff.

“Through the design and development of this [LUV], Canada will collaborate with international partners to shape the next era of human exploration of the Moon,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, minister responsible for Canada Economic Development. “Ultimately, the advancement of the lunar utility rover has the potential to open doors for Canadian businesses to expand and compete internationally and is expected to create and maintain 200 well-paying jobs over the next decade.”

The three businesses will have 18 months to develop their LUV proposals. The investment is part of the $1.43 billion in funding the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) that has been earmarked for lunar exploration as part of the 2023 federal budget.

Ultimately, the CSA plans to invest $1.2 billion over the course of 13 years in the creation of a lunar rover. Advancements made during the development of the LUV will be adapted in future missions, as global space agencies aim to get people on Mars, and deeper still into space.