MDA Ltd. has been awarded a $35.3 million contract from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) for the design of the Gateway External Robotics Interfaces (GERI), a key component of Canadarm3 which will be installed on the international Lunar Gateway.

MDA has completed Phase A, the system definition phase of this GERI project. This new contract award covers the preliminary and detailed design of the robotic interfaces (Phases B and C), valued at $35.3 million.

Today's contract announcement is the third contract awarded to MDA in conjunction with the multi-year, multi-phase $1 billion plus Canadarm3 program. MDA expects that a series of ongoing contracts will be issued in line with the major program phases and milestones.

Canadarm3 is Canada's contribution to Gateway, a key element of Artemis, the NASA-led program to establish a sustainable presence on and around the Moon. Once completed, the Gateway will serve as a Moon-orbiting outpost that will sustain human presence on the Moon and as a staging point for the next generation of deep space exploration. In 2020, the Government of Canada announced its intention to enter into a contract with MDA to build Canadarm3.

The Gateway External Robotics Interfaces will provide critical connection points between Canadarm3's large arm and small dextrous arm and items they attach or handle including the Gateway's modules, payloads, replacement units and visiting spacecraft.

The interfaces will also allow Canadarm3 to effectively walk around the outpost to perform external inspection, maintenance, repair and logistic activities; assemble and reconfigure the space station; capture and dock visiting spacecraft; load and unload payloads and science experiments; and support astronaut spacewalks.

These standardized connection points will be delivered in advance of Canadarm3 and installed on international partner-contributed modules. This early delivery will support the planned 2024 launch dates for NASA's Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) and the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE), currently under development.

Canadarm3 is the third generation robotic technology developed by MDA to serve as Canada's contribution to an international space exploration endeavour. This advanced AI-enabled robotic system will be highly-autonomous, allowing the robotic elements to perform operations and make decisions during long periods when there is no contact with the Canada-based ground control operations centre.

With unmatched space operations capabilities supporting decades of international space missions, the Canadarm3 program will further strengthen Canada's global leadership in mission-critical space robotics. The program will also position MDA for further expansion into the rapidly emerging global space market.

Related Links
MDA
All about the robots on Earth and beyond!

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The Space Media Network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceMediaNetwork Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceMediaNetwork Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Google parent launches new 'moonshot' for robotics software
San Francisco (AFP) July 23, 2021
Google's parent Alphabet unveiled a new "moonshot" project to develop software for robotics which could be used in a wide range of industries. The new unit, dubbed Intrinsic, will "become an independent Alphabet company," and seek industrial partners to advance their work helping to make everything from solar panels to cars, the new unit's chief, Wendy Tan-White, said in a blog post. "Intrinsic is working to unlock the creative and economic potential of industrial robotics for millions more busi ... read more