Volume 11 Issue 5
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 $5.00
COVID-19 For up-to-date coverage of the pandemic’s impact on the heavy lifting industry, visit craneandhoistcanada.com
Cranes in space
Canadian Space Agency is beginning development of Canadarm3 B Y J AY K O B LU N
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The Canadian Space Agency is taking another important step forward in space exploration by managing the development of Canadarm3, which in its most basic form— is possibly the smartest crane in the Milky Way. “The original Canadarm and Canadarm2 are smart cranes. Canadarm3—you could call it a crane—but it is indeed much, much more. It is very smart, very artificially intelligent, and has the same function as the human arm,” said Gilles Leclerc, director general space exploration at the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). This smart robotic system is Canada’s contribution to the United States-led Lunar Gateway for the Artemis program, the next major international collaboration in human space exploration, which forms the cornerstone of Exploration, Imagination, Innovation: A New Space Strategy for Canada. The development of Canadarm3 will extend and strengthen Canada’s well-established global leadership in space robotics. It will also help grow the economy, create jobs of tomorrow, and help young Canadians interested in pursuing studies and careers in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Canadarm3 will be composed of a next-generation smart robotic arm, a small dexterous arm and a set of specialized tools. Using advanced machine vision, cutting-edge software and advances in artificial intelligence, this highly autonomous system will be able to perform tasks without human intervention. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced Canada intends to enter into a contract with MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Inc. (MDA), based in Brampton, Ont., to build Canadarm3. Crane and Hoist Canada editor talked with Leclerc about the similarities and differences between Canadarm3 and a modern terrestrial crane, what’s new and interesting on Canadarm3, and what its overall function on the Gateway space structure will be. Check out page 14 and 15 for a Q&A, pictures, and more information. Publications Mail Agreement #PM40065710 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1