Frequently asked questions – Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program

LEAP has a total budget of $150 million over five years to support technology development, in-space demonstration and science missions in lunar orbit, on the Moon's surface, and beyond. The program will have a focus on artificial intelligence, robotics and health initiatives.

Funding for LEAP has been allocated for five years, up to fiscal year 2023–24.

All opportunities, contracts, contributions and grants, including those related to LEAP, are available on the Canadian Space Agency's (CSA) website.

The CSA sent out a Call for ideas to help plan for future lunar exploration activities and gauge industry's and academia's interest and capabilities. All the ideas submitted were considered and categorized to create LEAP's portfolio of activities.

All CSA grants and contribution awards are disclosed on the Open Government website. The disclosure is made in the quarter following the one in which the contribution is awarded.

The rover will be approximately 24 kg, capable of surviving at least one lunar day, one lunar night and another lunar day, which is the equivalent of 42 days on Earth. This rover will carry a minimum of 2 scientific payloads totalling 6 kg, one of which would be an American scientific payload sponsored by NASA. The goal is to collect engineering data on rovers in the harsh lunar environment and to collect scientific data on the lunar surface or subsurface, including in permanently shadowed regions (PSR).

Currently, the CSA plans to haveissue an RFP issued by the end of March 2021.