Canada is preparing to send its first-ever rover to the moon and is asking for public input to decide its name. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) announced a contest where people worldwide can vote on the semi-finalist names for the pioneering lunar machine.
The voting is open until December 20, and you can cast your vote [here].
Canada’s Lunar Ambitions
The rover is part of a larger Canadian effort to explore the moon in collaboration with NASA’s Artemis program.
Artemis aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface later this decade, with CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen already selected for Artemis 2. That mission, scheduled no earlier than 2024, will send four astronauts around the moon as a precursor to landing missions.
"Humanity is going back to the moon, and Canada is part of this exciting journey," CSA officials wrote in a statement announcing the contest.
The rover will explore the moon’s south pole, searching for water ice while testing innovative technologies and gathering valuable scientific data. It is being developed by Canadensys Aerospace, a company based near Toronto.
The CSA is deeply involved in lunar exploration projects.
Its Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP) is funding science payloads for future missions, and it plans to build a lunar cart to assist astronauts on the moon.
Additionally, the Canadarm3 robotic arm, built by Canadian company MDA Space, will play a vital role on NASA’s planned Gateway space station in lunar orbit.
Vote for the Rover’s Name
Here are the names shortlisted by the CSA for the lunar rover, along with their descriptions:
Athabasca: Named after the river that flows from the Rocky Mountains through Alberta to Lake Athabasca. This name honors Canada's rivers as historic pathways for discovery and trade.
Courage: A tribute to the bravery and confidence that has driven Canadian lunar rover technology over the past two decades.
Glacier: Reflecting the rover’s mission to search for water ice and highlighting Canada’s connection to glaciers, which make up 20% of Earth's non-polar glacier ice volume.
Pol-R: A creative spelling of "Polar," referencing Canada’s Arctic heritage and the rover’s destination in the moon’s south polar region.
The CSA’s contest is open to everyone, and the winning name will be announced after the voting closes on December 20.
This is your chance to be part of Canada’s lunar legacy.
