Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) has launched the Moonshot 4 Mining, Minerals and Manufacturing (M4M3) initiative. It is a $5.5 million program designed to use locally available resources wherever possible to support on- and off-world construction projects. NGen is an industry-driven not-for-profit organization that is spearheading Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for Advanced Manufacturing, which is backed by Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada.
The M4M3 program is focussed on establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon, using Canadian expertise in areas such as additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, quantum sensing, and robotics to make it happen. Wherever possible, these lunar solutions will be adapted for use on Earth as well. NGen’s M4M3 program is receiving financial support from the Canadian Space Agency.
“The M4M3 program will support the development of novel In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) solutions for mining, mineral processing and advanced manufacturing for both the lunar and on Earth environments,” explained NGen CEO Jayson Myers. “The solutions must have dual-use applications that will strengthen Canada’s technological leadership in space and help revitalize the long-term competitiveness of our most important industrial sectors.” (Note: According to Dictionary.com, ‘in situ’ is Latin for “situated in the original, natural, or existing place or position: The archaeologists were able to date the vase because it was found in situ.”)
“This M4M3 program is important to Canada because the innovations being developed for ISRU underlie some of Canada’s most important industrial sectors: Together these sectors represent over 40% of Canada’s GDP and employ 2,626,000 Canadians,” Myers explained. “It also consolidates our leadership position in space technologies and international space initiatives by focussing on next generation space technologies related to lunar in-situ resource utilization.”
When it comes to using local materials on the Moon, this organization isn’t going it alone. Instead, “NGen is targeting a co-investment with industry of up to $5 million to promote ISRU solutions in mining, mineral processing and advanced manufacturing for Earth and lunar environment,” Myers told SpaceQ. “We are looking to fund projects that must involve at least two unassociated Canadian industry partners — a lead and partner(s) — contributing to project costs and must include at least one (1) small to medium-sized (SME) company (an SME is defined as an organization that has fewer than 500 employees globally as a partner).”
To be eligible for M4M3 funding, applicants’ project activities/expenses must be undertaken and incurred in Canada, he added. “Companies or organizations incorporated outside Canada are not eligible for M4M3 funding but may be involved as project partners.”
NGen’s M4M3 initiative was launched on November 7, 2023. “It has only been a few days, but there has been genuine interest and curiosity around the novel perspectives that this M4M3 program can bring to both the lunar and terrestrial technological development,” said Myers. “Project development will occur in late 2023 and early 2024. We expect to support anywhere between 7 to 12 projects, with various sizes. Projects will need to be completed by March 2025.”