Grants and Contributions:

Advancement of Surface Mobility Traction Drives (SMTD)

25STDPX24

$1,000,000.00

Sep 18, 2025 - Feb 28, 2027

Sustainable surface transportation of large elements (e.g. cargo, crew, etc.) over large distances on the Moon requires the use of traction drive systems. The specific combination of large cargo elements, challenging terrain (e.g. large slopes, abrasive regolith), and extended life in both vacuum and the extreme Lunar temperature environment exceed the capabilities of existing state-of-the-art terrestrial traction drive systems. MDA Space is proposing to develop a traction drive system to meet the demanding mission requirements of known and forecast Lunar rovers. Key market differentiators will be a traction drive system exhibiting high speed and torque capabilities, and a long life with no maintenance intervention, which can withstand the challenging Lunar night and regolith environments. Potential customers include the Lunar Utility Vehicle, NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), the European Lunar Polar Sample Return (LPSR) mission, and potentially pressurized rover missions.

Canadian Space Agency

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.

Brampton, Ontario, CA L6Y 6K7

003-2025-2026-Q2-00010

Contribution

Grants and Contributions

For-profit organization

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Inc.

STDP AO 9.1 Space R&D - Advanced Technologies

Canada's Innovation and Skills Plan is focused on three priority areas to spur innovation: People, Technologies, and Companies. Working with industry, the Government of Canada will encourage innovation by increasing its support for basic research and development (R&D) in space technology development. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is issuing this Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to support the development of Canadian industrial capabilities in the area of space technologies with the aim of increasing the commercial potential of Canadian space companies to capture global opportunities.

It is paramount that the Canadian space industry remains strong, healthy and relevant, and that it has the required readiness to respond to national demand and the necessary competitiveness to secure an increased share of commercial and institutional markets worldwide. Only through innovation and continued investments in R&D can Canada ensure that it has the industrial depth and breadth to remain a valued player in the international arena.

In light of the above, this AO concerning Space R&D – Advanced Technologies will award non-repayable contributions up to $1M per advanced space technology project that expect commercial potential in the short to medium term (i.e., two to five years).