Title:
Tritium Radioisotope Heating Unit (T-RHU) for Lunar Surface Night Survival
Agreement Number:
26STDPAC03
Agreement Value:
$499,997.92
Agreement Date:
Aug 28, 2026 - Jul 31, 2028
Description:
Canada and other nations are developing various equipment to be flown to the Moon in the next few years, much of it supporting the Artemis program. Some of that equipment, including rovers such as the Canadian Lunar Utility Vehicle, are to survive and operate on the Moon for many years. They face an enormous engineering challenge: the length (14 days) and extreme cold (-230 C) of the lunar night. Canadensys proposes to develop a novel Radioisotope Heater Unit (RHU) using 3H (aka tritium - made in Canada, in CANDU nuclear reactors). Each Tritium RHU (T-RHU) module will produce 2 watts of heat, enough to keep a battery or electronics box warm through the lunar night. Tritium is inherently much safer than plutonium RHUs used in previous NASA missions, as the T-RHU will not emit any hazardous radiation, vastly simplifying integration and handling logistics and reducing mission cost and complexity.
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:
Bolton, Ontario, CA L7E 4G9
Reference Number:
003-2026-2027-Q2-00040
Agreement Type:
Contribution
Report Type:
Grants and Contributions
Recipient Type:
For-profit organization
Amendment Date
0001-01-01T00:00:00
Recipient's Operating Name:
Canadensys Aerospace Corporation
Recipient's Legal Name:
Canadensys Aerospace Corporation
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.