Canada Awards $5.5 Million for Advanced Astronaut Radiation Safety Instrument
Canada has awarded a $5.5 million contract to Bubble Technology Industries for the development of the Canadian Active Neutron Spectrometer (CANS). The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, announced the initiative.
CANS is a compact, autonomous instrument designed to measure neutron radiation exposure in space, aiming to enhance astronaut safety on future missions to the Moon and Mars, and offering potential applications on Earth.
Combating Space Radiation for Lunar and Martian Missions
Radiation presents a significant challenge for astronauts, particularly during long-duration missions. Neutron radiation accounts for approximately 30% of total radiation encountered in space vehicles and is strongly associated with biological damage. This necessitates specialized protective measures for spacefarers.
As Canada and its international partners accelerate plans for future missions to the Moon and Mars, understanding and continuously monitoring these exposure levels is becoming increasingly critical to mitigate risks to human health.
Diverse Applications: From Deep Space to Terrestrial Health
Data collected by CANS will be vital for research aimed at understanding the specific effects of neutron radiation on astronauts. This information will support the development of strategies and measures to reduce risks during long-duration space missions, including those lasting six months or longer.
Beyond its primary space exploration role, the data generated by CANS has potential applications in several terrestrial sectors. These include advancements in cancer therapy, enhanced radiation protection for aircrews, sophisticated nuclear threat detection, various public safety initiatives, and fundamental nuclear and particle physics research.
A New Era of Autonomous Radiation Detection
CANS is designed for continuous and autonomous operation, a key feature that distinguishes it from previous Canadian technologies in this field. Earlier instruments were often larger or required more human intervention.
This project further builds upon Canada's established expertise in developing cutting-edge radiation detection technology for space missions. It also reinforces the country's ongoing and significant participation in international space exploration efforts.