Title:
Reduced gravity flights to study Discrete Element Method for Lunar rovers
Agreement Number:
23FACONB37
Agreement Value:
$278,250.00
Agreement Date:
Jan 30, 2025 - Mar 31, 2027
Description:
The scientific research objective of this project is the study and the prediction of Lunar rover mobility, which occurs on mildly cohesive granular materials in reduced gravity, through Discrete Element Method (DEM) modeling of spherical and non-spherical particles from first principles. The research objectives of this project are to a) develop a set of granular materials, from spherical glass beads and paired beads, that exhibit Lunar-relevant cohesion properties, b) characterize the effect of Lunar-g on wheel-soil interactions with these sphere-based granular materials, and model these effects directly using Discrete Element Method (DEM) and c) Investigate the suitability of emulating reduced-g interactions by using reduced-density materials in 1-g, for spherical and non-spherical particles.
Organization:
Canadian Space Agency
Expected Results:
The Research component of the program provides financial support to organizations to conduct space related research and development in priority areas. It will support targeted knowledge development and innovation to sustain and enhance the Canadian capacity to use space to address national needs and priorities in the future.
Location:
Montreal, Quebec, CA H3G 1M8
Reference Number:
003-2024-2025-Q4-00005
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Additional Information:
The proponent requested to increase the grant amount by $50,000 and a three-month extension to allow them to complete the project activities and pay the National Research Council for the required flight hours as part of the research project funded following a change in the payment policy for flights conducted by the National Research Council’s Flight Research Laboratory.
Amendment Date
Oct 2, 2025
Recipient's Legal Name:
Concordia University
Program:
Class Grant and Contribution Program to Support Research, Awareness and Learning in Space Science and Technology
Program Purpose:
This program supports knowledge development and innovation in the CSA's priority areas while increasing the awareness and participation of Canadians in space-related disciplines and activities.
The Research Component aims to support the development of science and technology; foster the continual development of a critical mass of researchers and highly qualified people in Canada; and support information gathering and space-related studies and research pertaining to Canadian Space Agency priorities.