The Canadian Space AgencyB次元官网网址檚 head of space exploration is looking at how the CSA could contribute to a planned mini space station that would orbit the moon.

Gilles Leclerc says Canadian robotics could play a key role on the Deep Space Gateway.

The CSA is working to develop robotic arms as its contribution to a small lunar outpost to be built by international partners in the next decade.

American and Russian space agencies signed a statement long-term space projects, which focus on the so-called deep space gateway. The small space station would be placed in orbit between the Earth and the moon.

B次元官网网址淔or Canada, the challenge right now is to identify what our contribution could be to humanityB次元官网网址檚 next step in human exploration,B次元官网网址� said Gilles Leclerc, the Canadian agencyB次元官网网址檚 head of space exploration.

B次元官网网址淲e are defining what Canada will do in the next 30 years in space.B次元官网网址�

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Canada and the worldB次元官网网址檚 space agencies are committed to the International Space Station until 2024.

The next destination would be the lunar station B次元官网网址� a platform to serve as a staging point to travel to the moonB次元官网网址檚 surface and eventually, further away.

B次元官网网址淭he ultimate destination for all partners B次元官网网址� is Mars,B次元官网网址� Leclerc said.

A natural fit for CanadaB次元官网网址檚 contribution would revolve around robotics.

Leclerc said there are three possibilities: robotic arms, moon rovers and space mining B次元官网网址� technologies Canada already develops and could be useful.

Concept studies have started on two robotic arms that will help build and maintain the mini-station.

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. of B.C. has been awarded a $2.75 million contract to work on the new Canadarms.

Paul Fulford, MDAB次元官网网址檚 product development manager, said the current concept involves an eight-metre manipulator arm and a smaller one-metre arm.

B次元官网网址淭he CSA are asking that we explore the notion of a small multi-purpose arm B次元官网网址� one that could work inside the space station and possibly on the surface of the moon as well,B次元官网网址� he said.

Fulford said the new robotic arms could be operating on the lunar outpost in the 2020s, which would help get a Canadian astronaut to the moon.

Leclerc said the future of the station will depend on the means of transportation to get back to the moon. NASA is developing the Space Launch System (SLS), a giant rocket developed with deep space travel in mind.

The SLS would be topped with an Orion capsule with a crew of four.

A tentative plan would see an SLS rocket travel around the moon unmanned in 2019 and another after that to come within three years B次元官网网址� this time with astronauts.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 going to be at least three missions to construct the deep space gateway from 2020 to 2026,B次元官网网址� Leclerc said, after which the station would be manned.

CanadaB次元官网网址檚 newest astronauts, Jennifer Sidey and Joshua Kutryk, started basic training last month and space flight is at least five years away.

This is a huge day! Pretty exciting! Thank you to everyone who supported me so much over this year-long process. You have been incredible!

B次元官网网址� Dr. Jenni Sidey (@Astro_Jenni)

Fellow astronaut David Saint-Jacques is scheduled for a six-month visit to the ISS in November 2018 and colleague Jeremy Hansen could see his own mission between 2020 and 2024.

Leclerc said Canada is also looking at commercially-built capsules by companies like SpaceX to transport its corps.

It comes as the federal government works on a new space strategy, following consultations earlier this year by CanadaB次元官网网址檚 Space Advisory Board.

An exciting and a proud day for me! Thank you to everyone who has helped me get here.

B次元官网网址� Joshua Kutryk (@Astro_Kutryk)

It released a report suggesting CanadaB次元官网网址檚 space industry has B次元官网网址渓ost groundB次元官网网址� with rapidly changing environment and substantial space investments by other countries.

The board made several recommendations, including one that space be designated as a national strategic asset.

Peter Rakobowchuk, The Canadian Press

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