Canada's first lunar rover will have strong ties to Western University.
Western planetary geologist Gordon “Oz” Osinski has been tapped to be the principal investigator and scientific lead on the project, the university announced on Monday.
“I’m honestly overwhelmed, and it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said Osinski, an earth sciences professor. “It’s a cliché but I truly feel this is a culmination of everything I’ve worked towards throughout my academic career. It’s very, very exciting.”
Osinski will work with Ontario aerospace business Canadensys Aerospace which was awarded the contract to design and build the lunar rover by the Government of Canada. He will be responsible for coordinating the science team, developing the overall science plan for the mission, working with various institutions to finalize instrument development, and analyzing satellite data to identify potential landing sites.
"This is an incredible opportunity for me but also an incredible opportunity for Western,” said Osinski. “Over the next few years, many students, faculty, and staff will play a part of this historic mission, as we bring Canada and Western to the Moon.”
Canada's lunar rover will be sent to the moon's south pole in 2026. It will demonstrate key technologies for future lunar exploration activities and have scientific objectives in the areas of geology, shadowed regions and volatiles, as well as astronaut health and life sciences. The hope is that the 30kg rover will carry multiple science "payloads" from Canada and the U.S., the university said.
The plan to send a lunar rover to the moon was initiated under the Canadian Space Agency’s Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program.