Western scientist to lead team building Canada's first lunar rover

A planetary geologist from Western University will be leading a team to build Canada's first lunar rover.

The federal government announced the contract with space systems company Canadensys Aerospace on Monday, tasked with designing and building a rover that's expected to land on the moon in the next four years. A lunar rover is a partially or fully autonomous robot that can collect samples and perform science tests remotely.

Gordon Osinski has been named the principal investigator and scientific lead on the project. The earth sciences professor from Western will coordinate the science team, developing a mission plan, working with other partners to develop instruments, as well as analyzing satellite data to find suitable landing sites on the moon.

The university says the project was initiated by the Canadian Space Agency's Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program, with the goal of exploring the moon and carrying out research projects for Canada and the U.S.

"I'm honestly overwhelmed, and it hasn't really sunk in yet," said Osinski in a statement. "It's a cliché but I truly feel this is a culmination of everything I've worked toward throughout my academic career. It's very, very exciting."

LISTEN - Planetary geologist Gordon "Oz" Osinski explains Canada's first lunar rover project on CBC Afternoon Drive:

The lunar rover will weight about 30 kg and could be sent to the south pole of the moon as early as 2026.

"This is an incredible opportunity for me but also an incredible opportunity for Western," said Osinski. "Over the next few years, many students, faculty and staff will play a part of this historic mission, as we bring Canada and Western to the moon."

Canada will join the U.S., Soviet Union and China, who have successfully deployed lunar roving vehicles.