In July 2025, Canadensys, MDA Space, and Mission Control received a combined CAD 14.6 million ($10.3 million) to conduct a Phase 0 study for lunar utility rovers under the Artemis program. This work is nearing completion as the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) prepares to issue a new request for proposals to select two companies for continued development in 2027.
The CSA has shifted its requirements, moving away from a four-ton rover design originally planned for 2034. Industry partners are now tasked with developing a two-ton robotic rover that can be deployed three to four years earlier. The new design must fit on a 1.5-meter by 1-meter pallet and be roughly the size of two side-by-side pickup trucks.
MDA Space, which is also developing the Canadarm3 for the Gateway station, is currently examining how lunar mobility and repurposed robotics can support the proposed NASA Moon Base. Mission Control CEO Ewan Reid noted that the accelerated timeline is necessary to prevent technology from becoming obsolete before the base is operational.
Canadensys continues to pursue lunar projects, leveraging experience from dozens of CSA contracts secured over the last 15 years. The company is also participating in rover programs for the US and the European Space Agency. Meanwhile, NordSpace intends to launch its self-funded TERRY lunar rover in 2026, and Canada is advancing its sovereign launch capabilities through the Launch the North initiative.
