Canada government has announced its 22 pages long space strategy which was in waiting list from a long time. The key attributes of this strategy are robotic systems for space, AI (Artificial Intelligence), earth observing capabilities and finding new possibilities with the European Space Agency. Along with them, the government has promised to provide financial help to Lunar Gateway Project by NASA for the next 24 years. Canada will also design a robotic Canadarm of the current generation. The government has decided a budget of 2 billion CAD (Canadian dollars which equal to $ 1.4 billion for the Lunar Orbital Platform Gateway Program). The update was given by Navdeep Bains (Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Canada) via televised address from Edmonton, Alberta. He considered Canada’s contribution as the cornerstone of its space strategy.

Canada will develop a robot enabled system, termed as Canadarm3 for repairing and maintain the gateway. The Canadian government has pulled their socks up as a budget of 125 million CAD has been allotted for AI development, which will help Canada to remain the world leader in AI. The strategy also included the budget for Lunar Exploration Acceleration Program worth of 150 million CAD. This program will focus on small and medium-sized firms which will develop the latest technologies focused on lunar orbit and Moon surface. The strategy also stated that the Canadian Space Agency will launch Radarsat Constellation Mission in May end, and is working on developing new earth observatory satellites. 2018’s commitment to funding low earth orbit projects worth of $100 million was also highlighted in the strategy. The space domain is been affected by the politics as Kongsberg Satellite Services which requested a satellite license from the Federal Government is still in pipeline since 2016. The firm wanted a license for satellite receiving station near Inuvik.

Canada is all set to advance its space and AI based innovation and for the stated purpose, the government is expanding their relationship with the European Space Agency (ESA). The cooperation agreement between Canada and the European Space Agency will get renewed for 2030 and through this the researching firms will get assistance from ESA. Ongoing agreements between NASA and Canada will also be utilized, the strategy stated. Jim Quick (President, Aerospace Industries Association of Canada) has appreciated the strategy and said that the next step should include a funded coasted plan.

This article originally appeared in Global Industry News