Recently MDA Space performed an autonomous lunar logistics demonstration at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) analog site for the Lunar Utility Rover.
MDA Space is one of three companies recently awarded contracts to develop initial technology studies for a Lunar Utility Rover. The other two companies are Canadensys Aerospace and Mission Control.
“The prototype logistics vehicle is part of an early-phase study for the CSA. The goal is to develop a lunar rover to support crewed and uncrewed missions with a range of tasks—from transportation and construction to scientific investigations—pivotal to humanity’s return to the Moon.”
In this demonstration MDA Space performed continuous autonomous driving, showed two rovers working together, did an alignment demonstration with a habitat, manipulated external umbilicals using a robotic arm derived from Canadarm technology and showed small payload transportation.
