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The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is preparing to post another Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program request for proposals and has issued a reminder through Twitter of its letter of interest (LOI) notice which is due by August 22.
The states that “Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), on behalf of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), is releasing this Letter of Interest (LOI) to inform industry and academia of upcoming procurement activities related to the Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP). The CSA would like to inform industry and academia that in support of the science instrument project element of the LEAP portfolio, a Request for Proposal (RFP) is being planned for release by PWGSC in the Summer of 2023. In addition, the CSA would like to inform industry and academia on the scope and objective for the science instrument project element of the LEAP portfolio. PWGSC is not requesting any specific comments or feedback from the community as part of this LOI.”
Further details are available on the government’s SAP Ariba website.
This years budget included some significant new funding including for the Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program. Specifically the budget stated that “Budget 2023 proposes to provide $150 million over five years, starting in 2023-24, to the Canadian Space Agency for the next phase of the Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program to support the Canada’s world-class space industry and help accelerate the development of new technologies.”
Additionally the budget including other funding for moon related programs including a proposed “$1.2 billion over 13 years, starting in 2024-25, to the Canadian Space Agency to develop and contribute a lunar utility vehicle to assist astronauts on the moon” and “$76.5 million over eight years, starting in 2023-24, on a cash basis, to the Canadian Space Agency in support of Canadian science on the Lunar Gateway station.”
