LONGUEUIL, Que. — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canada will be "going to the moon" as a partner in a NASA-led project.
NASA is embarking on the creation of its new Lunar Gateway, a space station it plans to send into orbit around the moon starting in 2022.
The plan calls for a sustainable lunar architecture that would allow people and equipment to go back and forth to the moon regularly, NASA says.
Canada is going to the moon! 🚀🌔 The new Canadarm 3 will assemble & maintain the Lunar Gateway, & it will be made in Canada, by Canadians - keeping us at the forefront of innovation & creating good, well-paying jobs. Read about this stellar announcement: https://t.co/QTmH180iM1 pic.twitter.com/UWoAnUkYMu
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 28, 2019
It is also described as a first step toward deeper space exploration, including a mission to Mars.
Trudeau said today at the Canadian Space Agency that the partnership in the Lunar Gateway will be part of a new space strategy that will see the federal government invest $2.05 billion over 24 years.
He said the investment will create hundreds of well-paying jobs and contribute $100 million annually to Canada's gross domestic product.