Canada Launches First-Ever Moon Rover to Search for Frozen Water
Canada is set to put itself at the forefront of space exploration with its first-ever moon rover, which could help reveal the moon's dark side.[0] The Canadian Press/HO-University of Alberta, 2022 Canadensys Aerospace Corp., *MANDATORY CREDIT*.[1]
In November, it was decided that Canadensys would construct the lunar rover and provide assistance with the scientific instruments intended for transport to the moon in Ottawa.[2] The mission's lead investigator, Gordon Osinski, is preparing to send a 30-kilogram rover to the south polar region of the moon in search of preserved frozen water, possibly a few meters below the surface and mixed into the soil.
Chris Herd, a University of Alberta planetary geologist and scientific investigator on the mission, believes that the discovery of ice could act as a stepping-stone for further explorations of the solar system, including missions staffed by humans.[0] He said frozen water “can be extracted and used as a resource for the astronauts to survive” and split into hydrogen and oxygen for fuel, reducing the cost of bringing supplies from Earth.[2]
Scientists will not only be looking for solid water, but would be investigating the composition of the moon’s rocky surface, characterizing the radiation environment and taking high-resolution images, said Sallaberger.[0] Osinski also said there could be other countries launching their rovers to the far side of the moon before Canada's goes, but he said it's still “incredibly exciting.”[0]
The costs of the missions have come down to what they were in the 1960s, when everything was government funded.[0]
“I almost have to keep pinching myself at times,” Osinski said.[0] I have been striving for this goal for the past few decades.[0] On March 4, 2023, The Canadian Press released this report.[3] Canadian rover helping in global search for frozen water on dark side of the moon.
0. “Canadian rover helping in search for frozen water on dark side of moon” Toronto Sun, 4 Mar. 2023, https://torontosun.com/news/national/canadian-rover-helping-in-search-for-frozen-water-on-dark-side-of-moon
1. “Canadian rover helping in global search for frozen water on dark side of the moon – Lake Country Calendar” Lake Country Calendar, 4 Mar. 2023, https://www.lakecountrycalendar.com/news/canadian-rover-helping-in-global-search-for-frozen-water-on-dark-side-of-the-moon/
2. “CANADIAN LUNAR ROVER SLATED TO HEAD TO THE DARK SIDE” Zoomer Radio, 4 Mar. 2023, https://zoomerradio.ca/news/2023/03/04/canadian-lunar-rover-slated-to-head-to-the-dark-side/
3. “Canadian rover helping in global search for frozen water on dark side of the moon” OkotoksOnline.com, 4 Mar. 2023, https://okotoksonline.com/articles/canadian-rover-helping-in-global-search-for-frozen-water-on-dark-side-of-the-moon
