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The Canadian Space Agency also received a proposed $8.6 million for its lunar program
Nicole Mortilaro (new window)· CBC News
Canada’s space sector received a boost from the federal government in its budget, both in terms of money and vision.
Budget 2024 (new window)include a proposal for $8.6 million in 2024-25 to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for the Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (new window)(LEAP), which invests in technologies for humanity’s return to the moon and beyond.
In addition to the funding, the federal government also announced the creation of a National Space Council, which will be created a new whole-of-government approach to space exploration, technology development and research.
For Space Canada (new window)an organization that includes around 80 companies in the space sector including some of Canada’s largest companies, such as Magellan Aerospace (new window)Maritime Launch (new window)and MDA Space (new window)it was a welcome announcement.
We have been advocating for it since the inception of our organization, and we were actually very happy, and we applaud the federal government’s commitment announced in the budget,
said Brian Gallant, CEO of Space Canada.
Gallant said investing in space is an investment in Canada.
Two thirds of jobs in the space sector are STEM jobs. These are solid, well-paying Canadian jobs. And on top of that, we have about $2.8 billion injected into the Canadian economy because of the space sector,
he said.
The United States formed its National Space Council in 1989, but it was disbanded in 1992 and re-established in 2017.
In the 2023 budget (new window)the government announced proposed spending of $1.2 billion over 13 years, due to start in 2024-25, for the CSA’s contribution to lunar utilities (new window)a vehicle that would assist astronauts on the moon. The vehicle that has been developed so far could help astronauts move cargo from landing sites to habitats, carry out scientific investigations or support them during space missions on the surface of the moon.
It also proposed investing $150 million over five years for the LEAP program.
MDA Space, the company behind Canadarm, was also pleased with the announcement.
Canada has an outstanding global competitive advantage in space and the creation of a National Space Council is essential for Canada to maintain that leadership position,
CEO Mike Greenley said in an email to CBC News.
Space is now a rapidly growing, highly strategic and competitive field, and there is a real and urgent need to recognize its importance to the lives of Canadians and to our economy and national security.
The next project for MDA is Canadarm3, which will be part of the Lunar Gateway, an international space station that will orbit the moon. It will be the starting point for astronauts going to the moon and eventually beyond.
The Lunar Gateway is a great opportunity for Canada and for MDA Space to not only deliver the next generation of Canadarm robotics but to clearly plant our flag as a core national and industry participant in the Artemis era,
said Greenley.
Lunar Gateway is expected to begin construction no earlier than 2025 (new window)according to NASA.
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