Canada becomes NASA's first international partner for lunar space station

[Bubbajim]

What just happened? NASA has made clear their plans to return humans to the Moon in the coming decade and one of their first steps to doing so involves the creation of the Gateway space station. This week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that Canada have now become NASA’s first international partner for the endeavor.

At a press conference at the Canadian Space Agency’s headquarters in Montreal this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that Canada will contribute US$1.5 billion to NASA’s Lunar Space Station, known as Gateway.

NASA wants to get humans back to the lunar surface in the 2020s, and a crucial part of that plan is building the new Gateway station in lunar orbit. Gateway will act as a staging post for lunar landings, with a habitable environment for astronauts to occupy for between 30 to 60 days.

And just as they did when formulating the International Space Station, NASA have been seeking international partners for their latest mini-space station, and they have welcomed Canada as their first partner.

Speaking of the move, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said “NASA is thrilled that Canada is the first international partner for the Gateway lunar outpost.” He continued, “ournew collaboration on Gateway will enable our broader international partnership to get to the Moon and eventually to Mars.”

Canada have promised the US$1.5 billion as part of a 24-year commitment, and will build a new iteration in their series of ‘Canadarm’ robotic arms. Canadarm 1 and 2 played crucial roles in the building and maintenance of the ISS and more recently carried out important repairs to the Hubble telescope. Now, Trudeau has confirmed that a Canadarm3 will be developed to help build Gateway.

Canada has always been an important, if not slightly low-key, player in space-faring missions. They were the third country to launch a satellite into orbit in 1962 and have supported the ISS since its inception. Speaking of this latest partnership, Trudeau said, “our participation in the lunar gateway ushers in a new era of Canadian excellence in space.”

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https://www.techspot.com/news/79002-canada-becomes-nasa-first-international-partner-lunar-space.html

 

[Vulcanproject]

I think we'll see more and more partners come on board, like they did with the ISS. Personally it is exciting times, perhaps before the end of my lifetime we will have a permanent moon base. Humans living on the moon is the first step to living on Mars. Humans living on Mars the next step to our species spreading through our galaxy. Like a virus.

I joke but if we want to get serious and survive long into the distant future we have to have outposts off this vulnerable ball of rock, eventually reaching out beyond our solar system.

A long distant dream like something out of a science fiction novel, you might mock. However that same science fiction does open the window a little on human aspirations to explore and go deeper into space. Stephen Hawking the great man himself, voiced his opinion on the matter and talked very much along these lines.

 

[noel24]

Blame Canada, They are not a real country anyway.

 

[Uncle Al]

It's really a surprise that Canada and Mexico are not fully involved, especially considering the high tech systems that have come out of the space program. It's a good opportunity for all three countries to create stronger bonds, especially when you consider what is happening on the European & Asian continents ......

 

[Udelh579]

It's a good opportunity for all three countries to create stronger bonds, especially when you consider what is happening on the European & Asian continents ......

All humanity needs a stronger bond, despite the foul political plays.

 

[toooooot]

All humanity needs a stronger bond, despite the foul political plays.

And I know how to achieve the bond. Brainless human is a harmless human. Lobotomy for all! Or relaxers. Something to make more primitive and less aggressive species.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

Any mission to Mars should begin on the moon.

Assembling spaceships to go to Mars should begin on the moon.

It makes no sense to waste energy launching from Earth gravity.

It makes no sense risking the ISS by launching missions from there either.

 

[Reachable]

Lunacy

 

[mbrowne5061]

Any mission to Mars should begin on the moon.

Assembling spaceships to go to Mars should begin on the moon.

It makes no sense to waste energy launching from Earth gravity.

It makes no sense risking the ISS by launching missions from there either.

Makes no sense launching from Lunar gravity either. We know how to construct large structures in space, we can just build it in orbit, and likely will. The fuel and raw materials will come from Earth still, rather than send enough raw materials from Earth to the Moon to build mills and refineries there (which will take more than a Mars mission), then send the raw materials for a Mars mission from the Moon.

 

[fluffydestroyer]

Blame Canada, They are not a real country anyway.

You don't have a real President... just say'n

 

[QuantumPhysics]

Makes no sense launching from Lunar gravity either. We know how to construct large structures in space, we can just build it in orbit, and likely will. The fuel and raw materials will come from Earth still, rather than send enough raw materials from Earth to the Moon to build mills and refineries there (which will take more than a Mars mission), then send the raw materials for a Mars mission from the Moon.

Before you comment on my comments - think harder.

Can we MINE in orbit?

NO.

But we could MINE on the moon in order to actually assemble things there first prior to sending them into orbit.

Good try but NO.