This week Canada committed to an international effort to go back to the Moon, this time to stay. The new president of the Canadian Space Agency, Lisa Campbell, signed the Artemis Accords at this year’s virtual IAC conference. This news barely made a ripple in the current news cycle but it will go down in history as a turning point for Canada. We, along with seven other countries, have committed to building an outpost on the Moon that will be used to access the rest of the solar system. It’s akin to building the first railroad station – a station that will eventually be connected to a billion km line.
Canada is a resource country.
We are a land of rock, timber, water, metal and oil. Our history was written by using these resources to build a comfortable life despite cold winters and vast distances. This culture has also served us well in space exploration. Canada was the third nation in space after the USSR and the US. Our flag is proudly on display on the Canadarm on the Space Station. This space legacy combined with our resource experience is exactly why Canada is the obvious choice to lead the space resource industry.
The Western Canadian economy is focused on extracting and processing resources. We have built a talent pool and supply chain to harvest resources from some of the harshest conditions on Earth. The Albertan population makes up approximately 10% of Canada, while our GDP contributes ~20% to the Federal total.
Resources bring prosperity and growth.
There are tremendous resources available in space. These resources can be harvested with zero environmental impact to Earth and in nearly infinite quantities. To reach these resources, the international community is focused on building infrastructure on the Moon to act as a gateway to the rest of the solar system.
The signing of the Artemis Accords is the pistol shot that starts the new Moon race. This time, the stakes are much higher than Cold War pride. This time the prize isn’t just a flag on the Moon, it means control of the economic future of the Moon and space exploration. The Artemis Accords lay the foundation for robotic and human exploration on the Moon as well as the extraction and use of resources to fuel space activities.
The Canadian Space Agency is looking for input from industries across the country as to how to best implement the principles of the Artemis Accords. Robotics and AI are a given, as that is our existing expertise in space, but we have an opportunity to build entirely new expertise. We have an opportunity to invest in a resource sector that has unlimited growth potential. Western Canada has an opportunity to bring their expertise to the table and rise to the occasion. By joining the Artemis Accords, we open the door for Canada to become a major player in space resources.
NASA’s Artemis plan aims to excavate ice from the Moon’s south pole to supply both drinking water and to split the molecules apart to make rocket fuel. Water is also needed for life support, radiation shielding, and industrial processes.
This is a platinum opportunity for Alberta to jumpstart its economy.
We have extensive knowledge in the extraction, processing, and storage of liquids. We also have the best engineers, technicians, and trades in the world when it comes to modular construction and process equipment. The engineering, manufacturing, and finance business are the best in the world at what they do. I firmly believe that if the resource talent in the West partners with the space experience in the East, Canada will become the world leader in space resources, starting with water.
I am committing myself to ensure that Canada is a leader in space resources. If you are interested in this opportunity, send me a message, and let’s get to work!