Lunar Observatory Initiates Long-Distance Romance from Earth's Satellite
Canadensys Aerospace to Develop Lunar Telescope for International Lunar Observatory Association
Canadensys Aerospace, a Toronto-based company, has been chosen to design and build a new telescope that will be situated at the Moon's south pole. The telescope, scheduled to launch in 2027, is a project of the International Lunar Observatory Association (ILOA).
The telescope's location offers an advantage for astronomical observations due to less signal interference from Earth. This makes it an ideal spot for studying the sky, particularly objects like the center of the Milky Way, without the interference of SpaceX Starlink or light pollution.
The telescope is designed to withstand the harsh lunar environment, including radiation and extreme temperatures, for at least a year. This durability is crucial for the success of the mission, as the Moon's conditions can be challenging for space-based equipment.
Canadensys Aerospace was also responsible for the ILO-X observatory, which was part of a mission that took place in February 2024. Although the Intuitive Machines mission carrying ILO-X experienced an issue, with the Nova-C lander, named Odysseus, landing on its side, ILO-X was still able to send 341 images during its six-day mission at the Moon's southern highlands.
The ILOA decided to work with Canadensys again based on the success of ILO-X. Canadensys has also been selected as a contender for a C$1.2B "lunar utility rover" planned to launch in about 2033 to aid astronauts on the Moon's surface.
Two other companies, MDA Space (Toronto-area) and Mission Control (Ottawa), are also working on CSA option studies for the "lunar utility rover" project. A final selection for the project is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
In addition to the lunar telescope and rover projects, Canadensys Aerospace received C$43M from the Canadian Space Agency in 2022 to design and build a lunar rover. The company is also a candidate for the second "lunar utility rover," planned for launch around 2033 alongside Canadensys Aerospace.
No specific financial details were disclosed regarding the contract between Canadensys Aerospace and ILOA for the development of the lunar telescope. The telescope is set to launch in 2027, marking a significant step forward in lunar astronomy and space exploration.
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