MDA, a Maxar company, has been awarded two contracts from the Canadian Space Agency for work on Phase A of the Gateway External Robotic Interfaces project.

The Gateway External Robotic Interfaces will act as critical touch points for the eXploration Large Arm (XLA) and the eXploration Dexterous Arm (XDA), the major robotic manipulator elements that form Canadarm3, the artificial intelligence-enabled robotic system that will service the Gateway. The Gateway External Robotic Interfaces will be the standardized connection points between the external robotics on the Gateway and its modules, visiting spacecraft, payloads and replacement units.

"MDA is proud to continue our legacy of working with the Canadian Space Agency and its international partners to design, build and deploy robotic systems in support of space exploration missions," said Mike Greenley, group president of MDA. "This project will leverage MDA's world-leading space robotics capabilities, gained through the Canadarm programs, and will be an important component of Canada's contribution to the NASA-led Gateway. We are proud to deliver new jobs in Canada and engage our Canadian supply base in preparation for Canadarm3."

On Phase A of the Gateway External Robotic Interfaces project, MDA will work with the Canadian Space Agency to develop the interface and system requirements and undertake concept and technology development activities necessary to provide the Gateway module and element developers with information to support the integration of the external robotics and its interfaces.

The Government of Canada announced its commitment to the Gateway to enable future exploration missions, including human lunar landings. Similar to the robotics provided by Canada on the International Space Station, Canadarm3 will provide Extra-Vehicular Robotics (EVR) services to the Gateway including external logistics, maintenance, inspection, assembly and reconfiguration, and support to external science payloads.

Since the first deployment of Canadarm in 1981, MDA, working with the Canadian government, has led the design and development of Canada's primary contribution - robotics - to space exploration missions through the US Space Shuttle and International Space Station programs. Canadarm flew on over 90 shuttle missions, and Canadarm2 and Dextre have been in operation on the International Space Station for more than 18 years.

As a leader in delivering space infrastructure to explore and advance the use of space, Maxar is playing a key role in NASA's Artemis program to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024 and enable future missions to Mars. Maxar will build and fly the first element of the NASA-led Gateway, called the Power and Propulsion Element.

Maxar will also provide a robotic arm called SAMPLR, which is intended to be part of a future payload delivery to the lunar surface under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services contract. SAMPLR will be the first robotic arm on the surface of the Moon since the Surveyor missions more than 50 years ago.

SolAero Technologies Awarded Contract to Supply Solar Power Modules to Maxar Technologies for NASA's Power and Propulsion Element
Albuquerque, NM (SPX) Aug 21 - SolAero Technologies Corp. (SolAero), has been awarded a contract by Maxar Technologies, a trusted partner and innovator in Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure, to power the Power and Propulsion Element of NASA's Gateway. Under the terms of the contract, SolAero will design and manufacture Solar Power Modules (SPMs) that will supply nearly 70 kilowatts to the Gateway as part of NASA's Artemis lunar exploration plans, which will enable future missions to Mars.

The SPMs will be designed and manufactured in SolAero's state-of-the-art production facility in Albuquerque, NM. The SPMs will incorporate SolAero's latest generation, quadruple-junction "Z4J" solar cells, which exhibit superior radiation hardness in the space environment, and utilize automated assembly methods pioneered by SolAero for high-volume production of satellite solar panels and modules.

"SolAero has had the honor of participating in over 30 NASA missions in our 20 year history and we're once again very proud to have the opportunity to support NASA on a trailblazing endeavor," said Brad Clevenger, President and CEO of SolAero. "We're also excited to continue working with our longtime partners at Maxar to bring our latest generation solar cell technology and advanced manufacturing capability to the Power and Propulsion Element."

"In order to deliver revolutionary space infrastructure and Earth intelligence capabilities to our customers, Maxar carefully chooses strategic partners who embrace innovation, experience, and efficiency," said Mike Gold, Maxar's Vice President of Civil Space. "We're delighted to add SolAero as a supplier on the Power and Propulsion Element spacecraft."

+ SolAero Technologies

Related Links
Lunar Gateway at CSA
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news 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.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

NASA Marshall to lead Artemis Program's human lunar lander development
Huntsville AL (SPX) Aug 19, 2019
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine was joined Friday by U.S. Representatives Mo Brooks and Robert Aderholt of Alabama and Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee at the agency's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, to announce the center's new role leading the agency's Human Landing System Program for its return to the Moon by 2024. "Marshall Space Flight Center is the birthplace of America's space program. It was Marshall scientists and engineers who designed, built, tested, and helped laun ... read more